Nimba County District 7 representative, Musa Hassan Bility has called Mandingoes in the diaspora to join their fellow Liberians to promote peace, development and progress at home and abroad. Speaking at the Felmausa (Federation of the Liberian Mandingo Association)'s annual convention in Philadelphia, USA, he told his kinsmen and women that they are "not guests in Liberia" and that they "are part of Liberia’s history, identity, struggle, and future. From King Sao Boso Kamara and other Mandingo and Muslim leaders from the past to the present generation, our contributions to Liberia cannot be erased."
As the guest speaker for the annual event, he urged the Mandingo communities at home and abroad to "participate fully in the political, economic, and social life of Liberia." He went on further to say that "Integration does not mean abandoning our culture, language, faith, or traditions. We can remain proud of who we are while working with every other community to build one united Liberia."
This year marks the 19 years of existence of the biggest organization of the Liberian Mandingoes in America and it brings together the Liberian Mandingo stakeholders from all over the US and Canada annually. Interesting, Hon. Bility was the first guest speaker of Felmausa in 2007 when he was at the time the president of National Mandingo Caucus of Liberia. Over the years, he has always identified with his community as his profile as a political leader grows beyond and far. Recently, he donated $25,000.00 to the FElmausa hospital project in Liberia. That makes him the biggest contributor to that historic project under the leadership of the first female president, Madam Tuma Fofana.
As he was greeted with thunderous applause by the audience, he said that "No Liberian should have to prove that he or she belongs. The rights of a citizen must never depend on name, tribe, religion, political party, or county of origin." On the issue of reconciliation in Liberia, said such is needed in Liberia but "True reconciliation does not mean pretending that the past never happened. It requires us to acknowledge historical wounds, reject collective blame, pursue justice, forgive one another, and stop transferring old grievances to the next generation." For all Liberians, he said, the country "must move away from division, corruption, personality politics, and endless arguments over identity. Our national conversation must focus on healthcare, education, roads, electricity, agriculture, jobs, security, and strong institutions. Leadership must become service, not entitlement."
Continue with the full speech below
OUR HERITAGE MUST UNITE US, NOT DIVIDE US
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, I had the honor of addressing the FELMAUSA 2026 Annual Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the theme: “Unity Through Heritage, Peace, and Progress.”
I expressed my appreciation to President Fatuma Fofana, the current and past leadership, our elders and clergy, women, young people, invited guests, the CMC leadership, and the entire diaspora community for their service and humanitarian work.
My message was simple: heritage gives us identity, peace gives us stability, and progress gives our people hope. Unity does not require all of us to become the same. Our differences should help us understand and enrich one another, not divide us.
Liberian Mandingos are not guests in Liberia. We are part of Liberia’s history, identity, struggle, and future. From King Sao Boso Kamara and other Mandingo and Muslim leaders to the present generation, our contributions to Liberia cannot be erased.
At the same time, the Mandingo community must participate fully in the political, economic, and social life of Liberia. Integration does not mean abandoning our culture, language, faith, or traditions. We can remain proud of who we are while working with every other community to build one united Liberia.
No Liberian should have to prove that he or she belongs. The rights of a citizen must never depend on name, tribe, religion, political party, or county of origin.
True reconciliation does not mean pretending that the past never happened. It requires us to acknowledge historical wounds, reject collective blame, pursue justice, forgive one another, and stop transferring old grievances to the next generation.
Liberia must move away from division, corruption, personality politics, and endless arguments over identity. Our national conversation must focus on healthcare, education, roads, electricity, agriculture, jobs, security, and strong institutions. Leadership must become service, not entitlement.
I also emphasized that FELMAUSA must demonstrate the unity it wants to see in Liberia. The Elders Council should be formally established in the organization’s constitution, with clearly defined responsibilities, authority, limits, and relationships with elected officers. Our elders should advise, mediate disputes, preserve institutional memory, and support elected leadership without becoming a competing authority.
Elections must never leave permanent camps. Once the voting ends, the winners must lead everyone, and unsuccessful candidates must remain respected partners. There should be reconciliation, an orderly transition, and no retaliation, exclusion, or winner-takes-all politics. FELMAUSA must always be greater than any campaign, candidate, or individual.
The proposed 75-bed hospital must not be viewed merely as a Mandingo project. It is a Liberian humanitarian project and a practical demonstration of unity and patriotism. It deserves our donations, professional support, accountability, and commitment to completion.
Our diaspora must also move beyond remittances. Liberia needs your skills, investments, professional networks, knowledge, and institutional support. Our women must be fully included in leadership and national decision-making, while our young people must inherit education, opportunity, technology, entrepreneurship, and protection from drugs, not bitterness and hopelessness.
Every community must defend the rights of other communities. We must move beyond merely living beside one another to trusting, protecting, and building with one another.
Preserve your heritage. Build relationships outside your community. Mentor a young person. Invest in Liberia. Support the hospital. Defend justice even when the victim is not from your tribe, religion, or political party. Our heritage should never divide us. It should enrich the one Liberia that we must build together.
