MONROVIA- The Indomitable National Youth Congress Alternative National Congress the ANC Had vehemently criticized the 2026 National Budget, labeling it a “political hallucination” devoid of realistic development plans.
Addressing it partisans at it national headquarter in Monrovia during a press conference in Monrovia, highlighted the budget’s inflated revenue projections and inadequate allocation for critical sectors, calling it a betrayal of the Liberian people’s trust.
The IYC, speaking on behalf of the youth and disenfranchised citizens, pointed out the glaring discrepancies in the government’s financial plans, with a proposed revenue of US$1.211 billion, the Congress questioned the viability of these projections given that the government collected only US$880 million in 2025.
“This is not ambition it is arrogance,” stated a spokesperson for the Youth Congress.
The statement underscored the budget’s reliance on grants, which have plummeted to just US$13 million, a reflection of the government’s diminished international credibility.
They accused the ruling regime of fabricating a budget built on “contingencies and illusions,” including unspecified asset recovery funds and potential bonuses from foreign companies that have yet to materialize.
In a dramatic turn, they rejected the government’s claims of increased public sector investment, declaring that the significant rise in allocations was a deceptive tactic, asserting that substantial execution failures in the previous fiscal year have not been addressed.
“This is budgetary deceit,” they asserted, criticizing the government’s priorities as “gluttony in the face of hunger.”
Addressing the economic conditions affecting ordinary citizens Alieu KaidiiI the national youth chair of the ANC , highlighted that over half of the national budget in 2025 was consumed by wages and debt interest instead of driving essential capital investments. “While the people struggle to afford basic necessities, the political elite indulge themselves,” the Congress lamented.
Among their demands, the Youth Congress called for a complete overhaul of the budget with an emphasis on:
Fundamental Allocations: A demand that at least 40% of sectoral budgets be allocated to capital investments.
Accountability Measures, establishing a Project Delivery Unit to ensure effective execution of development projects and conducting quarterly audits to combat waste and corruption.
National Dialogue: A call for national discussions on debt and development, underscoring the urgency for economic reforms that prioritize Liberians.
The spokesperson also brought attention to a “quiet invasion” of foreign nationals taking jobs that should be filled by qualified Liberians, particularly in sectors like ArcelorMittal, citing a violation of labor laws and economic justice.
They asserted, “Liberia is not a playground for foreign profiteers.”
In a shocking revelation, the IYC condemned the misuse of government resources for political purposes, citing incidents in which state vehicles were employed for partisan events. “This is not merely unethical; it is illegal,” they emphasized, demanding an investigation into these abuses.
Speaking to the fate of volunteer teachers who remain unpaid, the ANC Youth Congress called for immediate action to rectify the injustice faced by these educators who have long been promised placement on the payroll. “To neglect teachers is to murder the future,” they proclaimed, citing a neglect for education as a targeted assault on the nation’s progress.
The statement concluded with a rallying cry for the youth of Liberia to unite against the current regime’s policies, which they characterized as counterproductive to national growth and development.
The IYC vowed to continue holding the government accountable, emphasizing that “Liberia cannot rise if its university is on its knees,” alluding to the deteriorating state of the University of Liberia.
The Indomitable National Youth Congress’s powerful denunciation of the 2026 budget serves as a call to action for all Liberians to demand better governance and a future built on equity and opportunity for every citizen. As the Youth Congress mobilizes its base, the stakes for Liberia’s economic and social future could not be higher.
The demographic destiny argument is too simplistic to fully explain the political rise of Mamdani.
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