Breath of Fresh Air -CMC Challenges GoL’s 2026 Budget, Unveils Alternative

MONROVIA – The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has injected a jolt of adrenaline into Liberia’s governance ecosystem with its scathing critique of the national budget and the unveiling of its own alternative, the People’s Budget. Clearly, this bold move marks a significant departure from the status quo, where political parties and even civic society have often been criticized for lacking the teeth to effectively challenge government policies. The CMC’s audacity to question the government’s budgetary allocations and offer a competing vision is a breath of fresh air in a country where dissenting voices have often been muffled. Pundits say by doing so, the party has demonstrated that alternative perspectives can and should be brought to the table, and that the people’s voices can be amplified through constructive criticism and engagement. The Analyst reports.

The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), led by Hon. Musa Hassan Bility, has unveiled its People’s Budget, a bold and people-centered vision for Liberia’s economic future. This alternative budget challenges the government’s proposed 2026 national budget, which the CMC claims is an “eating show” budget that prioritizes political spectacle over the needs of the Liberian people.

The CMC’s People’s Budget is built on three core principles: Development with Dignity, Liberia-First Economics, and Replacing, Not Repairing. This vision seeks to transform Liberia’s economy by investing in human capital, promoting sustainable growth, and ensuring that the country’s natural resources benefit its citizens.

The party plans to increase education funding to 15% of the national budget, focusing on quality public schooling, modern facilities, and well-trained teachers. This move aims to provide every child with access to quality education and equip them with skills for the future.

The CMC also intends to invest $120 million in agriculture, exceeding the Maputo Declaration’s target of 10% of national expenditure, to support farmers and agribusinesses. This investment is expected to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and significantly reduce poverty.

In the healthcare sector, the CMC proposes boosting spending by $50 million to modernize hospitals and provide free primary healthcare. This move aims to improve access to quality healthcare for all Liberians.

The party also plans to allocate $220 million for infrastructure development, focusing on rural roads and bridges to connect the economy and people. This investment is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and enhance economic opportunities.

To support Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the CMC proposes providing $32 million in direct support and credit guarantees. This initiative aims to promote private sector growth, create jobs, and stimulate economic development.

To fund these initiatives, the CMC proposes cutting fraud, waste, and abuse, improving tax administration, and increasing compliance on real estate and corporate taxes. The party also advocates for a comprehensive review of concession and mineral development agreements to ensure Liberia benefits from its natural resources.

“The CMC’s People’s Budget is a call to action for transformative governance,” said Hon. Musa Hassan Bility. “We refuse to accept a Liberia where budgets are about politics and self-aggrandizement, rather than the people. We will invest in productivity, not rent-seeking, and build a self-reliant nation.”

The CMC urges all Liberians to join the fight for a better future, where budgets reflect the needs and aspirations of the people, not just the privileged few.

Country on Fiscal Cliff:

The party declared: “We are standing at the edge of a fiscal cliff. The year 2027 will come, and the one-off monies will vanish. What will remain are unpaid debts, bloated wages, and broken promises. The government will return with excuses—the market fell, the prices dropped, the rains came. But the truth will remain—we failed to build a self-reliant nation. Let us not be a people who watch our future traded for political theater. Let us not sit by while the children of tomorrow inherit the debt of today. Liberia deserves better—better than eating show; better than a budget of lies.

“The CMC stands for transformation, not tinkering. We are here to replace, not patch up; to tear down the old walls of waste and build new foundations of hope. We will not tax poverty to fund corruption. We will invest in productivity to build prosperity. We must be innovative and provide transformative governance. A $200 million plus, one-time payment from private sector business, would be better utilized to establish and capitalize an agriculture bank in Liberia which would provide essential funding and financial services to agribusinesses, enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to access credit, invest in modern equipment, and improve productivity. Doing so would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and significantly reduce poverty, marking the most transformative step in Liberia’s economic history in the past fifty years.

“Fellow Liberians, our vision is simple. A Liberia that works for its people, not a privileged few. A Liberia where budgets are not about politics and self-aggrandizement, but about purpose. A Liberia where every dollar spent lifts a life, not lines a pocket. This is our fight. This is our faith. This is our future. It’s up to each and every one of us to begin the journey of transformative governance. God bless the Liberian people, the true authors of our destiny. God bless the CMC. God bless the Republic of Liberia.”

Pundits’ Commendations

Pundits say the CMC’s bold reaction to the “National Even” is worth commending. As one of the pundits put it, “This development is commendable, not just because it showcases the CMC’s willingness to challenge the powers that be, but also because it sets a precedent for other political parties and stakeholders to follow suit.”

He said the CMC’s actions have opened the eyes of Liberians to the fact that government policies, including the budget, are not set in stone and can be improved upon.

Said another analyst: “The CMC’s move has injected a much-needed dose of accountability into the system, highlighting the importance of checks and balances in governance. By offering a concrete alternative, the party has shown that it is possible to do better, and that the current state of affairs is not inevitable.”

“As Liberia continues to grapple with development challenges, the CMC’s initiative is a welcome development that could potentially reshape the country’s governance landscape. By encouraging critical thinking, debate, and citizen engagement, the party is helping to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy, one that is driven by the needs and aspirations of the people, rather than the interests of a select few.”