MONROVIA – The political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (Congress), Alexander Benedict Cummings, who has consistently positioned himself as a reformist and credible alternative in Liberian politics, and whom many Liberians continue to see as a potential future leader, especially in the post-Weah, post-Boakai political era, has given support to Liberia’s quest to seek a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with the election slated for June 3, 2025, at UN headquarters in New York.
The ANC political leader, who is an outspoken critic of bad governance as well as a proactive politician in voicing out on national issues in the country, made his support known for Liberia’s bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat, when he spoke on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the ‘Friend of Friends Intellectual Forum’ in Monrovia.
Mr. Cummings, however, urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Administration to clearly communicate how such a development would benefit ordinary Liberians. “The government must be transparent and tell the people what a seat at the UNSC means for their daily lives. Symbolic victories are meaningless if they don’t translate to better living conditions,” he noted.
Mr. Cummings is noted for always giving an elected government a year plus to settle into the governance of the country after a given election, because according to him a new government needs time to put things in place before one can start to critique their work.
In 2017, when George Weah’s CDC ascended to state power, the ANC political leader gave them a year plus to settle in governing the country before he started to put their feet to the fire to critique their performance. He has done the same to the Joseph Boakai Administration. It is now gone one year four months into office.
Speaking at the ‘Friend of Friends Intellectual Forum’ in Monrovia, the ANC political leader did not only support President Joseph Boakai’s Administration’s bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat, he also criticized the current administration’s performance, stating that President Boakai’s government has yet to make significant progress in improving the living standards of Liberians. “Ask yourselves – how your life has changed under this presidency?” he challenged the audience.
During the forum, Mr. Cummings also addressed the possibility of contesting in the 2029 presidential elections, saying his decision would depend on the will and action of the Liberian people. “I will need to see a clear demand for change from the citizens before making such a decision,” he said, emphasizing that real change requires active participation from the electorates.
Touching on the landmark election in which he came below the belt, Cummings suggested the outcome was manipulated. He fell short accusing either the NEC or the UP in the ‘elections outcome manipulation claims.’ International and local observers declared the elections as free and transparent.
In a bold statement, he questioned the integrity of the vote and warned that he would strongly resist any future attempt to tamper with the democratic process.
Though unofficial, some members of the defeated CDC raised qualms about the credibility of the elections, suggesting that the process was manipulated in favor of the UP, then in opposition attempting to dethrone the Weah-led administration which it accused of leadership failure.
“The results were not a true reflection of the people; it was tampered with. Warned that if such a thing ever happens again, he will resist it with all his might,” he said in response to a question from an audience member who asked what accounted for the sharp drop in the ANC’s support compared to the 2017 election.
Commenting on what he thought about how a President should govern a nation, the ANC political leader said presidents have long been known as brilliant leaders of their times. According to him, they have helped shape the political landscape of not only their countries but for the greater good of the people and each is known for the different characteristics and skills they possess.
He believes presidents should be ranked globally based on the following: public persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management, moral authority, international relations, administrative skills, relations with the Legislature, vision, the pursuit of equal justice for all, and performance within the context of their times. Concluding, he iterated Liberian leaders must always be patriotic and nationalist, and must do away with self-aggrandizement, acquisition of questionable wealth and must create a conducive environment for investments that will change the lives of the people for the greater good.
