By: Wilfred Duosi
Lead Campaigner of the newly established True United Party (TUP), Mengistu E. Wolokolie, says Liberia must nationalize its natural resources if the country is to generate meaningful revenue and ensure that citizens truly benefit from the nation’s wealth.
Appearing at the CEIO Intellectual Forum in Monrovia, the former U.S. soldier and 2029 presidential hopeful argued that the current system allows foreign companies excessive control over Liberia’s minerals, leaving citizens with limited gains.
Wolokolie stated that, if elected President in 2029, his administration will prohibit foreign entities from independently mining or selling Liberia’s natural resources. Instead, he said all such transactions would be routed through the Central Bank of Liberia, which, under his proposed policy, would have full control over all natural and mineral resource dealings.
The True United Party, recently certificated by the National Elections Commission (NEC), is expected to launch its operations and officially introduce its platform to Liberians in the coming months.
According to him, the party’s blueprint outlines twenty major thematic areas intended to drive national transformation.Wolokolie also announced plans to expand the Armed Forces of Liberia from 2,500 to 10,000 personnel, emphasizing that a stronger military is essential not only for national defense but also for development.
He emphasized that the expanded force would be deployed to construct major roads across the country and actively engage in agricultural activities to boost food security.
When asked about constitutional tenure limits, Wolokolie said his administration would seek a national referendum to reduce the term of the presidency from six to four years, cut senators’ terms from nine to six years, and reduce the tenure of representatives from six years to two.
Speaking at the same event, TUP Co-founder G. Sylvester Luo urged Liberian youth, who make up 62% of the population, to take ownership of the new political movement.
Luo said Liberia’s repeated re-election of “recycling politicians” has stalled national development and undermined the future of young people.
He encouraged citizens to embrace innovative thinking and support new leadership that prioritizes transformation and the aspirations of the next generation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kettehkumeh Murray, former Montserrado County District #3 Representative, now Chairman of the True United Party, challenged young Liberians to join the movement and support its candidates at both the Executive and legislative levels.
He said the TUP administration would usher in mature, responsible, and visionary youth leadership.Dr. Murray, who once chaired the Committee on Executive at the 52nd Legislature and taught at the University of Liberia, urged citizens to turn away from leaders who have “abused the future of the State and its people” and rally behind the TUP’s reform agenda.
