By: Anthony Q. Jifan, Jr
MONROVIA – Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) Political Leader Musa Hassan Bility has launched what he describes as a new phase of grassroots political engagement, placing youth empowerment, community action, and citizen participation at the center of his movement’s agenda. Speaking before hundreds of supporters in Montserrado County, Bility challenged Liberia’s traditional political establishment and promised a results-driven approach aimed at addressing the country’s persistent development and governance challenges. The Analyst reports:
The Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), Musa Hassan Bility, has unveiled an ambitious youth-driven political agenda, promising what he called a decisive break from Liberia’s culture of unfulfilled political promises and a shift toward practical community-based action.
Addressing hundreds of party supporters, community residents, youth leaders, and stakeholders during the official induction of Musa S. Kamara as CMC Vice Chair for Recruitment and Mobilization in Montserrado County District #12, Bility declared that Liberia’s political future must be built on accountability, citizen participation, and measurable results rather than campaign rhetoric.
The gathering, held at the Stephen A. Tolbert Estate Football Field along the Japan Freeway, attracted a broad cross-section of supporters, including community leaders, women groups, market associations, religious representatives, persons living with disabilities, and youth organizations.
Bility described the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter for the opposition movement, one that seeks to empower ordinary Liberians and reposition young people from political spectators to active decision-makers.
“We are beginning a new journey, a journey built on real change and a commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Liberians,” Bility told the gathering.
A Call for Political Renewal
In a speech marked by sharp criticism of Liberia’s political culture, Bility lamented what he characterized as decades of failed leadership and broken promises that have left many citizens disillusioned with governance.
According to him, successive administrations and political actors have repeatedly made commitments that failed to translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary people.
He argued that Liberians must begin demanding concrete results from their leaders rather than accepting recurring campaign promises.
“The power is in your hands,” Bility declared. “You gave it, and you can take it back.”
The CMC leader maintained that Liberia’s development challenges are not the result of a lack of resources, but rather a failure of leadership and political will.
Despite Liberia’s vast natural wealth, he noted, many communities continue to struggle with poor road networks, limited access to healthcare, inadequate educational opportunities, unemployment, and widespread poverty.
Youth at the Center of CMC’s Future
A major theme of Bility’s address was youth empowerment, which he identified as a cornerstone of the party’s long-term strategy.
He said future appointments within the Citizens Movement for Change would increasingly prioritize young Liberians, giving them meaningful leadership responsibilities and a direct role in shaping the country’s future.
“We are not talking about the future of young people; we are putting the future in their hands,” he emphasized.
The appointment of Musa S. Kamara, a relatively young professional, to a key national mobilization position was presented as evidence of the party’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders capable of driving political and social transformation.
Political observers have increasingly pointed to Liberia’s youthful demographic profile as a critical factor in future elections, with young people constituting a significant percentage of the country’s voting population.
Bility argued that meaningful national renewal will only be possible when young Liberians are entrusted with leadership opportunities and empowered to contribute their skills, creativity, and energy to governance.
From Politics to Community Action
Seeking to distinguish the CMC from traditional political organizations, Bility announced plans for nationwide volunteer and community service initiatives that would engage party members directly in local development efforts.
These initiatives, he said, would include community cleaning exercises, environmental sanitation projects, neighborhood improvement programs, and other grassroots activities designed to address immediate community needs.
“You will not find us making promises from a distance,” he said. “We will be in the communities, working alongside the people.”
He stressed that the movement intends to demonstrate its commitment to development before seeking political power, arguing that leadership should be measured by service rather than slogans.
Bility also disclosed plans for an extensive political mobilization campaign across Montserrado County and other parts of Liberia in the coming months, aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and expanding its national presence.
Vision for Governance
Looking ahead to future electoral contests, Bility outlined several policy priorities that he said would define a CMC-led government.
Among them are investments in road infrastructure, expanded access to electricity, improvements in healthcare delivery, community development initiatives, and free education, including opportunities at the tertiary level.
He argued that these interventions would contribute significantly to reducing poverty, creating opportunities for young people, and improving living standards across the country.
Significantly, he insisted that the movement would not wait until elections to begin implementing aspects of its vision.
“Meaningful change cannot be postponed until political power is achieved,” he said, adding that citizen engagement and community participation must begin immediately.
Kamara Pledges Nationwide Recruitment Drive
Meanwhile, newly inducted Vice Chair for Recruitment and Mobilization Musa S. Kamara pledged to lead an aggressive nationwide campaign aimed at expanding the Citizens Movement for Change into one of Liberia’s most organized grassroots political institutions.
Accepting the appointment, Kamara described the role as both an honor and a solemn responsibility.
He thanked the party’s leadership, including Political Leader Musa Hassan Bility, the National Chairman, Executive Committee members, and rank-and-file supporters for the confidence reposed in him.
Kamara said his transition from professional and public service sectors into active political leadership reflects the growing need for professionals to contribute directly to national development.
“Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Every sector of society must contribute to shaping Liberia’s future,” he stated.
He expressed concern over what he described as the underrepresentation of young professionals in governance and policy-making despite their growing contributions in fields such as education, healthcare, agriculture, technology, engineering, and business.
According to him, Liberia possesses a generation of talented and innovative young people whose expertise should be harnessed to accelerate national progress.
Building an Inclusive Political Movement
Kamara pledged to expand the party’s reach into every county, district, town, and community through a combination of grassroots organizing, digital engagement, leadership development, and community mobilization.
He said recruitment efforts would target a broad spectrum of Liberians, including students, market women, farmers, business owners, professionals, religious groups, and community organizations.
Particular emphasis, he noted, would be placed on empowering women, young people, and persons living with disabilities.
The newly appointed mobilization chief disclosed plans for innovative membership campaigns designed not merely to increase enrollment but to build an active and informed political movement.
“Our goal is not simply to increase numbers,” Kamara said. “We want to build a committed, informed, and active membership capable of advancing the party’s vision at every level.”
Positioning for the Future
The ceremony underscored the Citizens Movement for Change’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures and broaden its political appeal ahead of future national elections.
For Bility and the CMC leadership, the message was clear: the party intends to position itself as a youthful, action-oriented political alternative, one that seeks to capitalize on growing public demand for accountability, citizen participation, and development-focused leadership.
Whether that message resonates beyond the party’s core support base remains to be seen, but the weekend gathering demonstrated the movement’s determination to expand its footprint and stake a stronger claim in Liberia’s evolving political landscape.