Prince Johnson Dies at 72: Liberia’s Warlord-Turned-Politician Passes Away

“The senator’s death is very regrettable and unexpected,” said Siaffa Jallah, a spokesperson for the Liberian Senate. The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.

A Polarizing Legacy

Johnson was a polarizing figure in Liberian history, infamous for his role in the brutal torture and execution of then-President Samuel Doe in 1990. A chilling video of Johnson sipping beer while his men tortured Doe became emblematic of the barbarity of Liberia’s first civil war, which lasted from 1989 to 1997. The conflict claimed 250,000 lives and left the country in ruins.

Despite his infamous past, Johnson transitioned into politics after the wars, serving as a senator for Nimba County and becoming a preacher in an evangelical church. He wielded significant influence in Liberian politics, even as calls for justice grew louder. A 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report recommended his prosecution, along with other warlords, but those recommendations were never implemented.

Johnson consistently opposed the establishment of a special tribunal for war crimes, arguing it would reopen old wounds. “Establishing such a court is looking for trouble for the country,” he stated in defense of his stance.

The Evolution of a Warlord

Born in Nimba County, Johnson initially allied himself with Charles Taylor, another infamous warlord and later president of Liberia. However, he broke ties with Taylor, leading his own Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia during the civil war. Johnson lived in exile in Nigeria for 12 years before returning to Liberia in 2004, where he rebranded himself as a champion of peace and reconciliation.

He remained unapologetic about his past, often justifying his actions as necessary during the war. “I cannot be prosecuted; I did nothing criminal,” he declared in a 2011 interview, asserting that his support among Liberians was evidence of his transformation.

A Kingmaker in Politics

Johnson’s influence extended beyond his military exploits. His support proved pivotal in shaping Liberia’s political landscape. In the 2017 presidential elections, Johnson surprised many by endorsing George Weah in the second round, a move that contributed to Weah’s victory. In 2023, he shifted alliances to back Joseph Boakai, negotiating a vice-presidential position for his close associate Jeremiah Koung. Boakai narrowly won the election, with Johnson’s support seen as a decisive factor.

Public Reaction and Mourning

News of Johnson’s death sparked reactions across Liberia. Crowds gathered at his residence in Monrovia to mourn, reflecting his enduring popularity among some Liberians, particularly in his home region of Nimba County. His legacy, however, remains deeply contested.

For many, Johnson’s death marks the end of an era—a stark reminder of the unresolved issues stemming from Liberia’s civil wars. While some saw him as a warlord who exploited his influence for personal gain, others viewed him as a protector of his people, whose actions, though brutal, were a response to a desperate and lawless time.

A Nation Still Healing

Liberia, one of the world’s poorest countries, continues to grapple with the scars of its civil wars. Efforts to establish accountability for wartime atrocities remain stalled, as political leaders debate the balance between reconciliation and justice. Johnson’s death may reignite discussions about addressing Liberia’s violent past.

As the nation mourns—and debates—the passing of one of its most controversial figures, questions linger: Will Johnson’s death accelerate the push for a war crimes tribunal? Or will it deepen the inertia around justice in a country still striving to heal?

For now, Liberia reflects on a man who embodied its darkest chapters yet maintained a powerful grip on its post-war narrative.