Letter from Saclepea – Title: I Am My Father’s Son

By Hon. Musa Hassan Bility

Sitting among my colleagues and friends today, I listened to the echoes of comparison between myself and Vice President Koung—people saying that both of us are “nephews” of the people of Nimba. Normally, I would not respond to such talk, but this time I feel it necessary to speak clearly.

Throughout my political journey, I have never tried to hide my identity. In Minnesota and everywhere else, I have always said it proudly: I am my father’s son.

Our culture gives a special place to nephews. In Nimba, when a man is the son of a Nimba woman, the people treat him as their nephew—with warmth, care, and respect. It comes with privileges and affection, a kind of cultural embrace that reflects the richness of who we are. But I do not believe that this cultural honor should extend into our politics. Identity is sacred; it should not be traded for political convenience.

So, when a brother recently said to me, “Oh, you are nephew, we will take care of you,” I replied, “No, I am not your nephew.” My father and my mother are both from Nimba County. To call myself a nephew would be to deny my father’s identity—and I will not do that. My father was born and raised in Saclepea, Nimba County, and so was I. No matter my mother’s tribe, our culture recognizes the father as the root of the child. Otherwise, many Nimbains would be identified differently. In Nimba, we are our father’s sons.

As we engage in politics, I beg that we do not drag tribalism and religious bias into it. I know the temptation will come, but I will neither use it to my advantage nor allow it to define me. My father is a Mandingo man, which makes me a Mandingo man. I am a Muslim, and I proudly identify with my faith—without ever tearing down another person’s religion or tribe. That is how I was raised, and that is how I intend to lead.

Ironically, most of my education came from Christian institutions, and I am grateful for that. Those institutions shaped me, molded me, and gave me the tools to serve my people with dignity and wisdom. I will forever cherish the legacy I left behind in them.

As we continue this difficult political journey, navigating issues of tribe, religion, and culture, I want to make one thing clear: I will never compromise or conceal my identity for political gain. If the Vice President benefits from being called a nephew, so be it—but I will not adopt any title that forces me to deny who I am. I have no identity crisis. I am the proud son of a Mandingo man from Saclepea, and that truth defines me.

This, I believe, is what Liberia needs—leaders who embrace who they are, respect others for who they are, and build bridges across our differences. It is these small divisions—tribe, religion, and favoritism—that destroy nations. We must rise above them.

Let us be strong, proud of our culture and our heritage, but also faithful to the democratic values that protect every Liberian’s right to believe, to belong, and to be free—without fear of punishment or exclusion.

Have a blessed weekend.