In a move signaling a generational shift in the nation’s political landscape, the Congress of the Liberian People (COLP) has officially announced the appointment of John Saylay Singbae II as its National Chairperson.
A distinguished academic, international advocate, and Mandela Rhodes Scholar, Singbae steps into this role with a mandate to mobilize a new generation of voters and dismantle the traditional barriers that have kept Liberia’s youth on the margins of governance.
Singbae’s ascent to the helm of the COLP marks a departure from Liberia’s entrenched political norms.
Recognized early as a brilliant orator—notably as the Most Valuable Player of the National High School Debate Championship and a representative for Liberia on global stages in Johannesburg and Zagreb—Singbae brings a blend of intellectual discipline and grassroots commitment to his new office.
“Too many young people have come to believe that politics is reserved for the worst among us,” says Singbae. “I still believe in Liberia, and even in difficult conditions, I see an opportunity to lead.
“Our mission with the COLP is to ensure that young people are no longer just mobilized during election seasons, but are active, meaningful participants in our national development.”
Singbae’s journey to the COLP is rooted in a history of advocacy and academic excellence.
A graduate of Bethesda Christian Mission School, he made headlines for his vocal defense of Liberian scholarship students in Morocco, challenging the state on its responsibilities to its citizens abroad.
As only the second Liberian to be named a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, he completed a master’s of laws (LLM) at the University of Cape Town, focusing on international law and ocean governance.
Despite a burgeoning career with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Singbae chose to return home, driven by an urgent sense of duty to his country.
At the COLP, Singbae joins forces with key reformists, including former national football star, Ambassador Theo Weeks Lewis, to build a movement that prioritizes institutional change over political patronage.
The party aims to transform the political narrative, offering a platform where policy-driven leadership replaces the status quo.
While critics question the ability of a youth-led movement to withstand the pressures of established political networks, the COLP leadership remains steadfast.
They view Singbae’s appointment as a litmus test for the future of Liberian democracy: a transition from a system of exclusion to one of active, empowered civic participation.
“My time at the Mandela Rhodes Foundation reshaped my sense of purpose,” Singbae notes.
“I am not here for the office itself, but to ensure that the promise of Liberia reaches the young people who are currently being left behind.”
