Published: June 25, 2025
GANTA, Nimba County — With just over four years until Liberia’s next presidential election, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s ambition for the nation’s highest office appears to be gaining traction—along with a growing sense of urgency.
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, in his 2023 campaign platform, pledged to serve only a single six-year term to rebuild broken systems and infrastructure and put Liberia on an irreversible path toward progress and prosperity. But whether he will keep that promise remains uncertain—even to close political observers. Boakai’s former boss, ex-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to whom he served as vice president for 12 post-war years, once made similar assurances.
Vice President Koung, seemingly unfazed by whether Boakai will seek reelection, appears to be capitalizing on every opportunity. Recent developments suggest he is preparing to enter the ultimate political arena—the fight for the presidency.
What began as quiet whispers has evolved into a national debate—not only in his native Nimba County, but in political circles across the country.
It can be recalled that political commentator Henry Pedro Costa, during the 2023 election season and even after Boakai’s 2024 inauguration, alleged that Koung was secretly laying the groundwork for a 2029 presidential bid.
According to Costa, Koung had established a political movement dubbed “Koung for President,” allegedly holding private strategy sessions at his official residence with government loyalists and grassroots organizers, many from Nimba.
Costa also accused Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs Cornelia Kruah of serving as chairperson of the movement—a role he claimed nearly cost her job last year.
The Office of the Vice President has denied Costa’s claims, dismissing them as unfounded.
A By-Election, a Stepping Stone
The conversation resurfaced recently when Koung’s close ally, Justin Oldpa Yeazehn—popularly known as “Prophet Key”—openly encouraged voters in the April 22 senatorial by-election to support Koung’s preferred candidate, former District No. 5 Representative Samuel Kogar.
“This is a stepping stone to the vice president’s 2029 dream,” Prophet Key said. “This election is not just about Kogar—it’s about making the VP president in 2029.”
According to political sources in Nimba, Koung and Kogar were not always allies. Their relationship was reportedly strained by frequent disagreements. However, with the passing of Nimba’s political godfather, Senator Prince Y. Johnson, Koung is said to have reconsidered his alliances.
“Fighting Kogar would be politically disastrous,” one analyst said, referencing the latter’s broad appeal and regional influence.
Despite the presence of other Gio-ethnic candidates and the fact that Kogar was a sitting lawmaker, VP Koung left Monrovia and campaigned in Nimba for nearly two weeks, openly supporting Kogar’s senatorial bid.
During the campaign, Koung was quoted in several local forums emphasizing the need for a Gio man—specifically Kogar—to fill the vacancy left by the late Senator Johnson.
The vice president’s efforts paid off. Kogar won the by-election, triggering another contest for his now-vacant House seat, scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025.
Friends of Koung Reorganize
Adding momentum to Koung’s rumored bid, the once-dormant Friends of Jeremiah Koung (FOJ)—a political group that supported his early rise—reconvened this week in Ganta for what members called a reconciliation meeting.
While no formal declaration was made, insiders say the intent was clear: reunite the base and prepare for Koung’s political future.
Koung, a former businessman-turned-politician, has steadily climbed Liberia’s political ladder—from representative to senator to vice president—fueled largely by grassroots support from his home county.
His recent focus on infrastructure, local development outreach, and high-profile international trips has only amplified speculation about his next move.
For now, Koung’s inner circle insists there is no formal campaign. But with political operatives regrouping and loyalists speaking openly, the path to 2029 may already be unfolding—quietly but decisively.
As always, Liberia is watching.
Discussion about this post