Koung stokes tribal tensions ahead of Nimba by-election

MONROVIA – Vice President Jeremiah Koung has broken his silence with open support for Representative Samuel Kogar’s senatorial bid, but his rhetoric mirrors that of his late political mentor, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson (PYJ), reviving tribal sentiments as a strategic tool to secure political dominance in Nimba County.

Rather than appealing to voters on the basis of competence, integrity, or developmental vision, Koung is tapping into ethnic loyalties—reigniting a divisive approach that many hoped had been buried with the controversial Nimba kingmaker, PYJ.

Speaking recently on a local radio station, VP Koung urged Nimbaians to vote en masse for Kogar in the April 22 Senatorial By-Election. He cited the need to “balance representation” between the Gio and the Mano ethnic groups at the Liberian Senate—a statement that has triggered backlash from a wide range of citizens.

“Any vote other than Kogar is a waste,” Koung declared. “Give the vote to Kogar in bulk. To the Mah (Mano) people, I am appealing to you, please join this coup. When I called the Dahn (Gio), they came to your coup. The Gbei people, the Mandingo people—please support the Dahn candidate. Support Kogar so we can have balance in the County.”

His remarks have drawn sharp reactions across traditional and social media platforms, with many accusing the Vice President of fanning the flames of tribalism for political gain. Critics argue that such appeals erode national cohesion and perpetuate the toxic legacy of identity-based politics.

Although the Gio and Mano account for the bulk of Nimba’s population, the county is also home to other groups, including the Mandingo, whose roots in the region stretch back over a century.

Kogar, the current three-term Representative of District #5, positioned himself as the political heir to Senator Johnson during the latter’s funeral. However, his self-appointment has been met with skepticism and resistance from parts of the county’s population.

Kogar also led the breakaway bloc of lawmakers seeking to unseat embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Under his leadership, members of the faction reportedly lodged for weeks at the upscale RLJ Hotel—fueling concerns over potential misuse of public funds and priorities out of touch with constituents’ needs.

While VP Koung, as a citizen and senior government official, reserves the right to endorse a candidate, his tribal appeals have left many questioning his leadership judgment. The criticism is especially fierce on social media, where users accuse him of failing to rise above ethnic politics.

Koung’s deep involvement in the by-election, however, is far from coincidental. As a son of Nimba, he sees the county not only as his political home but also as a powerful stronghold that must be carefully controlled. His proximity to the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson—whom he credits for much of his political success—appears to be influencing his desire to install a loyal successor in the Senate. With Johnson gone, Koung is now seen as the de facto power broker in the county.

But his ambitions may extend beyond Nimba. With the county being Liberia’s second largest voting bloc, Koung’s aggressive push to secure the Senate seat for his ally could be part of a broader strategy to tighten his grip on the region ahead of future national contests. Political observers believe he is quietly laying the groundwork for bigger ambitions, possibly including a future run for the presidency.

The upcoming by-election features seven candidates. Among them is independent candidate Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, the lone female in the race and sister to renowned human rights advocate Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe. She faces six male contenders, including Kogar of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) and Mack Gblinwon of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), the party led by Rep. Musa Hassan Bility.

Other candidates include independents Toorbor Famgalo and George [last name unclear], former Representatives Richard Matenekay Tingba (African Democratic Movement – ADM-Liberia), and Garrison Yealue (Vision for Liberia Transformation – VOLT). Also contesting is controversial independent candidate Justin Oldpa Yeazeah, alias Prophet Key, widely criticized for his verbal attacks on women.

Koung, in another ethnic-charged message, told the Gio people he won’t waste energy campaigning to them. “When you want to eat dog, you can’t look in the ear,” he said. “The Dahn people, I don’t want to waste my time with you. If you don’t want the seat, you spoil the vote.”

Representative Bility, whose party is fielding Gblinwon, had earlier cautioned the Vice President to stay out of the by-election. But Koung, undeterred, maintained his stance.

“Musa is a brother. He’s free to say what he wants. I have no comment on that,” Koung said during his radio appearance. “But what I said is what must be heard.”

He further claimed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai consults him on Nimba’s political landscape and said he intends to avoid conflict with other politicians.

“The President asks for my advice. I come from Nimba. I know the politics. So, as Vice President, I won’t get into quarrels with any Representative,” Koung stated.

Meanwhile, Bility and his CMC have ramped up development initiatives in the county, attempting to bolster Gblinwon’s candidacy with visible infrastructure projects.

As Nimba approaches another critical by-election, the stakes remain high—not just for those vying for the Senate, but for the future of political influence in one of Liberia’s most pivotal counties.