MONROVIA — The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) was thrust into the spotlight this week after Grace Renelle Guar, the party’s USA/Canada Chairperson, tendered her resignation and withdrew her affiliation, citing fundamental disagreements with the party’s direction and internal structure. In a letter dated October 25, 2025, Guar informed the CMC Executive that her decision came after “careful reflection” and a realization that her vision for Liberia’s future no longer aligned with the party’s leadership or operational practices.
Guar expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s organizational framework, describing it as ineffective and lacking the structural discipline needed for real transformation. “The party’s organizational structure, functionality, and chain of command are not sufficiently aligned with effective system building,” she wrote. According to her, the current environment within the party is “conventional and not conducive to meaningful collaboration or progress,” a situation she believes undermines the broader fight for sustainable change in Liberia.
Her resignation letter included a request for her name to be removed from the party’s bank account and her address deleted from all CMC registration records. Guar also pledged to return any party memorabilia or materials in her possession to the individual designated by the organization. She concluded her letter by thanking the party for the opportunity to serve, though her departure signaled deeper frustrations within the CMC’s diaspora leadership.
Guar’s resignation comes amid a wave of departures within the party, particularly in its foreign chapters. In response, CMC political leader Representative Musa Hassan Bility issued a public statement on November 1, 2025, addressing what he referred to as “recent resignations within the movement.” Bility confirmed that two ranking members, one from Diaspora Affairs and one from the Minnesota Chapter, had stepped aside in recent days. However, he cautioned members against interpreting these exits as signs of turmoil.
“In politics, such occurrences are entirely normal and should not be seen as crises but as part of the democratic journey of any growing institution,” Bility said. He noted that discussions with one member, identified only as Mr. William from Minnesota, were ongoing in good faith, but lamented that Madam Guar “has since terminated all forms of communication with us.”
Bility urged party members to respond with restraint and professionalism, emphasizing the CMC’s commitment to respect, inclusion, and democratic principles. “We must continue to conduct ourselves with dignity and discipline,” he stated. To maintain internal order and prevent speculation, Bility announced a sweeping moratorium on all public and private reactions to the resignations. The directive applies to all levels of the organization, from senior leadership to grassroots structures.
According to Bility, the CMC has already addressed the matter internally and will not issue further statements unless necessary. Any official response, he said, would come solely from authorized party channels. The moratorium, he argued, is essential to preserving unity and preventing distractions as the party continues its growth trajectory.
Bility reminded members that the decision to resign from any political institution is a democratic right that must be respected. “The decision to resign… is a democratic right, and we must honor that right with maturity and civility,” he said. His response appeared aimed at discouraging infighting or public confrontation, a challenge that has plagued several political movements in Liberia’s competitive landscape.
Despite the resignations, Bility called on members to remain focused on the party’s broader mission. He reiterated that moments of internal disagreement are inevitable in political institutions, but how the organization responds will determine its strength and credibility. “As we continue to strengthen our structures and expand our reach, moments like these will arise again,” he noted, urging supporters to handle such situations with “wisdom and calmness.”
The CMC, which positions itself as a reformist movement centered on unity and progressive governance, has gained visibility in recent years, particularly among younger voters and diaspora communities. However, the resignations raise questions about internal cohesion and the party’s ability to maintain its growing support base. Party insiders say the leadership is working to stabilize its structures as Liberia edges closer to its next major electoral cycle.
