Minneapolis, Aug. 6 -- A new transnational coalition of Liberian citizens, diaspora leaders, activists, and scholars has officially launched the Resource Equity Alliance of Liberia (REAL) in a bold move to challenge what they call the country's entrenched "resource curse" and push for sweeping constitutional and legislative reforms.

The launch comes in the wake of the recent discovery of 47 strategic minerals across just two of Liberia's 15 counties, a find that members of the coalition argue could either be a generational turning point-or another missed opportunity that deepens inequality and fuels corruption.

Despite Liberia's wealth in iron ore, diamonds, gold, and timber, the country has long struggled with widespread poverty, under...