Mixed reactions mark the death of Liberia’s notorious warlord

Liberia’s social media space (Facebook) went buzzing Thursday afternoon, November 28, 2024, when the death of the late Prince Yormie Johnson was announced.

According to a statement issued by the Liberian Senate, of which the late Prince Yormie Johnson was a member, he died at age 72 at a local clinic, Women of Hope, in Paynesville city outside Monrovia.

“The death of Senator Johnson is a big blow to the Liberian Senate and a huge irreparable loss to the country at large,” the Liberian Senate said. 

Several people took to their social media (Facebook) platforms to either express joy or frustration over the passing of the former rebel leader during the Liberian civil crisis, who later turned politician.

Many believe that the late Prince Yormie Johnson died as a hero, while others also believe he died as a villain. However, the late Prince Yormie Johnson was a different man at different times and to different people. 

Maude Iwill Karpeh, a Liberian lady claiming to be a victim of the action of the late Prince Johnson during the more than 14 years of the country’s civil war, alleged that the late Prince Johnson left a deep hole in the life of her family by killing her father.

Ms. Karpeh took to her official page, saying, 

“I’m not happy about his death; I just thought he had a second life, that he was never going to die. This man left a deep hole in my heart that only those close to me truly understand. I was just 3 years old, and my mom was pregnant. When she got the news, she walked up to him, bare and vulnerable, asking him to kill her too. I watched my mom crumble under the weight of losing her husband. She wandered the streets, talking to herself, broken beyond repair. 

“Eventually, she turned to drink to numb the pain, but it consumed her until she passed from sheer frustration and despair. To this day, it hurts me to my core. Sometimes, when the emotions overwhelm me, I call my sisters and cry, but even that doesn’t bring comfort. The man who took my dad’s life dared to ask for him the next day—who does that? He made me an orphan and shattered my family. But you see, Karma… it has its way. Hmmm.”

Another Liberian, Philip Weekie Doe, Jr said, 

“There is a time and season. My Uncle Michael Doe is smiling down on me from Heaven. Our hearts are filled with Joy this morning.” 

Duku Jallah, a Liberian student leader, posted that the late Prince Johnson was a war criminal who fought an immoral war for the people of Nimba to exercise their right to exist.

Jallah posted on his official Facebook page, saying, “Samuel Doe led a massacre against the people of Nimba County. PYJ rose in defense of his people. He was a war criminal who fought an immoral war for the people of Nimba to exercise their right to exist. In the end, he sought forgiveness and spent the rest of his life winning souls for Christ. A hero for some, a villain for others. May his soul rest in peace.”

Who was Prince Yormie Johnson?

Born on July 6, 1952, and hailing from the second-most populated county in Liberia, Nimba County, Johnson was the late Liberian rebel leader who later became a politician.

Johnson became notorious for the role he played during Liberia’s more than 14 years of civil war between 1989 and 2003, a war that ravaged the country, killed more than 2,000 Liberians, and displaced several others.

Prince Johnson also became infamous following a video where he was seen presiding over the murder of former Liberian President Samuel K. Doe in pieces.

In 2005, the late Prince Yormie Johnson became a politician and contested for the senatorial seat in Nimber County. He won as a senator, a position he held until his demise. 

The U.S sanctioned the late Prince Yormie Johnson

In 2021, the United States Treasury Department sanctioned the late Prince Yormie Johnson for what it considered Pay-for-play funding with government ministries and organisations for his benefit.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, 

“As a Senator, Johnson has been involved in pay-for-play funding with government ministries and organisations for personal enrichment. As part of the scheme, upon receiving funding from the Government of Liberia (GOL), the involved government ministries and organisations launder a portion of the funding for the return to the involved participants. The pay-for-play funding scheme involves millions of U.S. dollars. Johnson has also offered the sale of votes in multiple Liberian elections in exchange for money.”

What are the views of human rights actors?

The late Prince Johnson was among several Liberians listed by the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for prosecution for his alleged role in the Liberian civil war.

According to the TRC report, Liberia should establish war and economic crimes courts for the prosecution of all key players during the country’s darkest days, a move that has been hugely supported by the current President, Joseph Nyumah Bokai, by establishing the office for the war and economic crimes courts in the country.    

Human rights Advocate Adama Kiatamba Dempster said that the passing of the late Prince Johnson left an accountability gap in providing justice for the victims of the country’s civil war.

According to the New Republic Newspaper, Dempster said that the late Prince Johnson should have been held accountable for his actions during the Liberian civil war, noting that this cannot happen again because Mr Johnson is dead.       

Conclusion

Despite the end of Liberia’s more than 14 years of civil crisis about some 20 years ago, many Liberians still live and feel the pains of the war, and these people still carry in their hearts some form of frustration and malice against some key players during the war.