Bility Speaks @ Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Award Dinner – Pushes Diaspora Engagement Ahead of 2029 Polls

MONROVIA – As Liberia gradually edges toward the 2029 general elections, political engagement is increasingly transcending national borders, with the diaspora emerging as a strategic force in shaping narratives, resources, and influence. Against this backdrop, the U.S. visit of Musa Hassan Bility, political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), signals a calculated effort to internationalize the party’s outreach and consolidate external support. By engaging Liberians abroad and aligning with globally respected civil-rights platforms, CMC appears intent on blending historical consciousness with contemporary political strategy, positioning itself as a movement rooted in unity, shared heritage, and forward-looking leadership ahead of a highly consequential electoral cycle.

The political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), Musa Hassan Bility, has embarked on a high-level visit to the United States aimed at strengthening the party’s international structures and deepening engagement with the Liberian diaspora. Bility departed Liberia on Thursday, January 15, 2026, as part of a broader strategy to expand CMC’s global presence and build strategic partnerships ahead of Liberia’s 2029 general elections.

A key highlight of the visit was Bility’s participation in the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner, a prestigious event that brought together American lawmakers, civil-rights advocates, community leaders, and a sitting member of the U.S. Congress.

According to reports, the gathering, which honors individuals and institutions advancing the principles of justice, equality, and service, provided a symbolic platform for Bility to connect Liberia’s historical narrative with the enduring struggle for civil rights and dignity among people of African descent.

Addressing the audience, Bility reflected on the deep historical ties between Liberia and African Americans, emphasizing Liberia’s founding by formerly enslaved Africans from the United States.

“I am happy to share this night with you and to let you know that you always have a home in Africa,” he told the gathering. He added that Liberia stands as a unique testament to Black self-determination, noting that it was “a country founded by freed slaves from America, established by your forefathers.”

Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Bility underscored the importance of unity, collective action, and transnational solidarity among Black communities.

He noted that the challenges facing people of African descent—whether economic inequality, political marginalization, or social injustice—require cooperation beyond geographic boundaries. “Whether in Maryland, USA, or in Monrovia, Liberia, as we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, we are reminded that when we choose to work together as Black people, we can achieve what we set out to achieve,” he said.

Bility also used the occasion to express appreciation to the event’s organizers and participants, reaffirming bonds of friendship across continents.

“Thank you very much. Thank you, Congressman. You have friends, brothers, and sisters across the ocean,” he remarked, signaling CMC’s intent to maintain long-term relationships with allies in the United States.

On the margins of the awards dinner, Bility engaged informally with several dignitaries, including Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, who hosted the event.

Governor Moore, widely recognized for his progressive leadership style and advocacy for social justice, presided over the ceremony honoring individuals and organizations that embody the values championed by Dr. King. While no formal bilateral discussions were announced, the interaction highlighted CMC’s interest in cultivating visibility within influential political and civic spaces.

The U.S. visit underscores CMC’s sustained efforts to consolidate support among Liberians living abroad, a constituency increasingly viewed as influential in shaping political discourse, mobilizing resources, and influencing electoral outcomes back home.

Since its establishment, the party has steadily expanded its organizational footprint among diaspora communities, emphasizing political education, civic participation, and policy-oriented engagement.

As Liberia’s political landscape continues to evolve ahead of the 2029 elections, CMC’s international outreach reflects a deliberate attempt to position the party as globally connected yet domestically grounded.

By leveraging historical ties, civil-rights symbolism, and diaspora networks, the party is signaling its readiness to play a consequential role in shaping Liberia’s political future.