Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has received an endorsement from ULAA President, Mohamed Keita, for the 2029 presidential election. This endorsement breaks ULAA’s tradition of remaining neutral in political campaigns. While Koung has not confirmed his candidacy, the endorsement signals significant support. President Boakai has cautioned administration members about focusing on the upcoming elections.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has not officially declared his candidacy for the 2029 presidential election; however, he is already gaining support. The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), representing Liberians in the US, has notably endorsed him, which deviates from the organization’s customary practice of neutrality in presidential elections.
ULAA President, Mr. Mohamed ‘MSG1’ Keita, expressed his backing for Vice President Koung during a Town Hall Meeting in Philadelphia on March 8, 2025. He delivered a petition addressing immigration concerns for diaspora Liberians and concluded by stating, “Remember 2029 is coming, if you are ready, we are ready!” Despite this endorsement, it remains uncertain whether Vice President Koung will officially seek the presidency.
The endorsement from ULAA, which usually refrains from endorsing candidates, is significant as Liberians will vote for new leaders in October 2029. ULAA aims to collaborate with all Liberian administrations for the benefit of its members and citizens at home. Prior to the endorsement, Mr. Keita had raised issues regarding corruption in the Liberian government and the plight of diaspora Liberians faced with immigration challenges.
During the Town Hall Meeting, the Vice President did not directly engage with Mr. Keita’s endorsement but acknowledged concerns about government corruption. His silence regarding the endorsement could stem from a directive issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who advised members of his administration eyeing the 2029 election to consider resigning.
President Boakai stated, “If your focus is on 2029, you may respectfully resign. My priority is serving the Liberian people right now,” during his first Cabinet Meeting of the year on March 3, 2025.
The endorsement of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung by ULAA President Mohamed Keita marks a significant shift from the organization’s tradition of non-endorsement. While it is still unclear whether Koung will run for the presidency in 2029, the upcoming elections are poised to be pivotal for Liberian politics. The context of this endorsement, with prior discussions on corruption and immigration concerns, highlights the challenges facing Liberians domestically and abroad.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
