“This Is Not The Liberia Our Ancestors Fought For” -US Rep. Biah Calls For Unity, Justice In Liberia

By Bill W. Cooper
United States of America (U.S.) Rhode Island District 3 Representative, Nathan Biah, is calling on the government, opposition political parties and all Liberians to embrace a movement of healing and justice.
Rep. Biah, also a proud Liberian citizen, made the plea in a statement issued May 14, 2025, in commemoration of Liberia’s National Unification Day, thus resonating deeply across the political landscape of Liberia.
However, Biah’s call to action comes at a time when Liberia faces significant challenges, including political instability, economic hardship, and social divisions that continue to plague the nation.
National Unification Day, celebrated annually on May 14, is a day intended for Liberians to reflect and unite in the interest of Liberia, leaving the past and ensuring a total reconciliation amid the country’s political diversity.
For many, the day also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the country, particularly in the wake of a brutal civil war that lasted from 1989 to 2003, a conflict that many Liberians are still struggling with the consequences of violence, displacement, and loss.
In his statement, Biah declared, “I am the son of the soil, born in the heart of Nimba County, where the earth is red, the people are strong, and the spirit of our ancestors lives on. I carry Liberia in my heart, in my voice, and in my purpose, no matter where I go.”
He expressed, “So, on this National Unification Day, I speak with pride, pain, and purpose. Our country is a blessed nation, rich in history, culture, resilience, and promise. But it is also a nation that has suffered too long at the hands of failed leadership, broken systems, and widespread corruption.”
“Our people continue to struggle with poverty, hunger, crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, substandard education, and the daily burden of hopelessness. This is not the Liberia our ancestors fought for, and it is not the Liberia our children deserve.
So, Unification must be more than a national holiday, it must be a movement. A movement to heal wounds, demand justice, and build a nation where every Liberian, regardless of tribe, county, religion, or political belief, has the right to live with dignity and opportunity,” he announced.
According to Rep. Biah, it is also important for all Liberians, including the government and opposition leaders, to unite and fight corruption, not just in words, but in action, as well as invest in schools so Liberian children can read, think, and dream.
He cautioned, “We must also provide access to healthcare so our mothers stop dying giving life. We must build homes, not just for shelter, but for pride. We must ensure that no Liberian goes to bed hungry or wakes up without hope.”
“I call on our leaders to serve, not rule. I call on our people to unite, not divide. I call on our diaspora to engage, not abandon. And I call on the youth of Liberia to rise, not wait. Let May 14th be more than a date on the calendar.
Let it be a declaration that Liberia is ready to rise again, not through slogans, but through sacrifice, honesty, and love of country. From the hills of Nimba to the streets of Monrovia, from the diaspora across the world to every Liberian still dreaming of a better tomorrow,” he added.
Rep. Biah urged, “This is our moment to come together, to rise as one, and to reclaim the soul of our nation because Liberia deserves better. Our people deserve better. And together, we can and must build that better Liberia.”
Meanwhile, as National Unification Day serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of the past, Biah’s vision for a united and just Liberia is poised to inspire a new generation to take up the mantle of leadership and work towards a better tomorrow.