Alexander B. Cummings, the political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), has recommitted the Party to transform Liberia’s governance if he becomes president.
Cummings also presented a “refined political strategy” in anticipation of the 2029 presidential election.
He recently addressed Liberian students and community members in Kigali, Rwanda, during the African (Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Forum.
The gathering, according to a dispatch, was attended by over a dozen Liberian graduate students studying at various universities in Kigali.
The students provided Cummings the chance to connect directly with young Liberians abroad, listen to their concerns about the nation’s trajectory, and share the ANC’s vision for national renewal.
“You represent the future of our country. We want the opportunity to serve so we can grow the economy, create jobs for you, your friends, and your families, and ensure that every Liberian has the right to put food on the table,” Cummings told the students.
On the 2029 campaign, Cummings outlined several strategic priorities the ANC will focus on leading up to the next election cycle.
These include enhancing grassroots engagement, establishing a robust rapid-response communications infrastructure, and investing deeply in youth mobilization.
He said, the party would no longer permit political opponents to dictate its narrative or leave false accusations unchallenged in public discourse.
“We let the opposition define who we are. This time, we will define ourselves. When they lie, we will respond immediately.”
Cummings added that the ANC’s communications framework, encompassing radio, social media, and video platforms, would be developed as a permanent institutional capability, not merely a campaign tool.
On youth and the diaspora, he positioned young Liberians at the forefront of his political vision, describing them as the primary beneficiaries of the change he advocates and the driving force needed to realize it.
He urged students, regardless of their political affiliations, to join a broader national movement for good governance.
“You don’t have to be an ANC member to support us. I will be running for president, not just for the ANC.”
Cummings commended the ANC’s Youth Congress as the most active, and dynamic segment of the party, and pledged to broaden the ANC’s outreach to young Liberians both domestically and in the diaspora.
On Liberia’s economic potential, Cummings reiterated his call for a fundamental reorientation of economic management.
He argued that the nation’s abundant natural resources, including iron ore, gold, diamonds, timber, and a 350-mile Atlantic coastline, should generate widespread prosperity rather than enrich a select political elite.
“Our country is rich, yet our people are poor. That is not a resource problem, but a leadership problem.”
He highlighted agriculture, tourism, housing, and information technology as sectors capable of creating large-scale employment, urgently needed by the youthful population.
Cummings pointed to Rwanda’s development path as evidence that effective governance can yield results when leadership prioritizes accountability and institutional discipline.
On regional and international relations, Cummings reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to deep regional integration, promising to prioritize partnerships within the Mano River Union and ECOWAS as a foundation for economic growth and security cooperation, before engaging broader international partners in Europe, North America and Asia.
Community Recognition
The chairman of the Liberian Community in Rwanda, representing over 4,000 Liberians residing in the country, expressed gratitude to Cummings for “fulfilling a financial commitment” to support an ongoing community sports tournament in Kigali. He described it as a reflection of the leadership character that Liberians deserve in their head of state.
Cummings meanwhile, thanked the students and community leaders for their time, openness, and ongoing dedication to Liberia’s future.
He added: “We sincerely care for our people and our country. And we want to change it for the benefit of all Liberians. For young Liberians, this commitment means they will see the ANC not only during election season, but also on campuses, in communities, and online responding swiftly to misinformation and involving youth in shaping the movement and its message.”