By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA — The adage that early preparation brings good results seem to be resonating well with the People’s Economic Movement (PEM) as the party begins its mobilization drive across Montserrado County 17 electoral districts.
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the National Youth League of PEM initiated its grassroots outreach in Electoral District #8, focusing on the 12th Street community. The drive calls on young Liberians to actively engage as the party establishes local leadership units—structured into block, zone, and cell youth committees—across all 17 districts and 536 communities in the county.
Addressing the youth, PEM National Youth League Chairman Leon B. Saydee outlined a vision to transform traditional youth political auxiliaries. Saydee emphasized that the Youth League is breaking away from elite-dominated structures and aggressive “battle cry” tactics to create an inclusive platform representing all young Liberians, regardless of their background or formal education.
He used the gathering to formally announce the presidential bid of PEM’s Political Leader, Sinoe County Senator Crayton Oldman Duncan. Highlighting Senator Duncan’s legislative accomplishments and public service, Saydee also commended the leadership of other party executives.
Saydee delivered a sweeping critique of Liberia’s resource management, stating that the nation’s abundant resources makes it rich but in contrast the citizens remain poor.
He highlighted Liberia’s huge deposit of iron ore, gold, and diamonds across Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Sinoe, Bong, Lofa, and Gbarpolu—while persistent poverty, disrupted education at the University of Liberia and MCSS, and underresourced facilities like JFK Medical Center continue to keep the people in abject poverty.
Saydee went on to critique major concessionaires such as ArcelorMittal, Bea Mountain, and Hummingbird, arguing that raw mineral exports have failed to deliver infrastructure or economic relief to host communities. He challenged current terms with Bea Mountain—which he stated yield only 3% in royalties to the state—and called for increasing Liberia’s royalty share to over 6% to directly finance health infrastructure, public education, agriculture, and power grids.
The Youth League Chair of PEM concluded by reminding young people—who constitute over 50% of the population—that meaningful reform rests in their hands at the ballot box in 2029, asserting that Senator Duncan represents the transformative leadership required to unlock Liberia’s wealth for its citizens.
