– MDR and Sen. Yaya Nimely Accuse Him of Betraying the Fallen Senator, as VP Koung and Rep. Koon refute the allegations
By Jerromie S. Walters & Shallon S. Gonlor
The final farewell of fallen Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson was marked by controversial statements and a blame game. The fallen stateman’s funeral was meant to be a commemoration of his life as a public servant. However, the funeral service was hijacked by political speeches. Some publicly attributed his death to perceived betrayal by the Boakai administration over the establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia. Others argued that Johnson fully supported the court’s creation.
On April 9, 2024, Johnson signed a resolution with 27 other senators endorsing the court’s establishment. On April 11, the House of Representatives concurred. By May 2, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. signed Executive Order #131, creating the Office of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
However, skepticism surrounded Johnson’s endorsement. Many viewed it as an attempt to reshape his controversial legacy. At his funeral, officials from his party (MDR) and Grand Gedeh Senator Thomas Nimely claimed Johnson felt pressured and betrayed by the Boakai administration.
The MDR’s Tribute
Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) Youth Chairman Czar Mabulu Palay narrated at Johnson’s funeral, “When we heard that you had signed the resolution for the establishment of War Crimes Court, the Executive Committee members of MDR rushed to your office and we asked you, Senator, why did you sign the resolution and you said to us it is too much. I’m tired of the provocation. I’m tired. You said it to us. You told us my people were slaughtered like goats in the 90s, and there was no one to talk but today Liberian politicians are on me every day about war crimes court.”
“The Monday of the week you died, we came to Ganta to attend your program. We saw your body was dropped. We asked you why are you reducing like this and then you told us, you said my mission on earth was over. You people should be brave. Senator, we are not satisfied. You died from pressure. You died from the pressure of war crimes court. Our father, we say may your soul rest in peace. We are here. Your struggle will never go in vain,” he assured.
Deepening the Betrayal Claim
Grand Gedeh County Senator Nimely claimed Johnson felt betrayed by the Unity Party despite promises made during the 2023 presidential campaign. He said, “He always wanted to buy time so whenever presidential candidates came he would go and say I will make you President but I want you to buy me time. He did that with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and President Sirleaf at the time when there were 15,000 UN soldiers in this country and she had the opportunity to execute war crimes and she said to him when you make me President I will buy you time. He went from village to village to campaign for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to be president because he wanted time. President Johnson became President and she bought him time for twelve years.”
Nimely continued, “People went to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and said why are you not bringing war crimes Court, she said look at the country. Nobody is talking about war crimes. People are worried about the next daily bread. They are worried about their children going to school. They are worried about hospitals. So Prince Johnson bought time for twelve years and when Ellen Johnson left power, President Weah came with his pro-poor agenda and he said if that is pro-poor then I think that’s the man I can talk to, I need to buy some time.”
“Senator Johnson enjoyed six years building schools and relating to his people. When President Weah’s time ended, and he heard about the rescue mission, he said Weah I’m not going to support you. I’m going to go to the rescue because I want to be rescued. He went to rescue and did more than what he did for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Weah. He produced a vice president and produced a President simultaneously and he was promised time. But when the time came, the time that was promised to him was never given. Senator Johnson was troubled!” the Grand Gedeh County Senator revealed.
‘Never Betrayed’
Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah P. Koung countered claims of betrayal, stating Johnson was never betrayed by the Unity Party. He remarked, “Senator Nimely, I want to say thank you. When you were soaking and got to the part that said why you can forgive Senator Johnson, I thought you were going to wake up then I remembered Senator was dead because he will never accept that he was guilty. He was never guilty and because he was never guilty, he signed the war crimes court resolution because he wanted to go to court to tell the people of this country that he defended this country and his people and so he was never guilty.”
Koung added, “Senator you are dead but I know if you were living you would have woken up to respond immediately because that’s the guy you were. You left your children here and that’s why we will say it for you because you can’t speak now. You are not guilty, you were never guilty. No court in this country found you guilty that’s why we celebrate you as our hero.”
‘A Complex Figure’
In his tribute, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. honored Johnson’s memory and expressed sympathy to his family. He reflected on Johnson’s impact on Liberia’s political landscape. “As we come together to mourn his loss, we also take a moment to reflect on his profound influence on our nation’s political landscape,” President Boakai stated. He acknowledged Johnson as a complex figure shaped by Liberia’s history. “His role in Liberia’s political evolution was nothing short of impactful, and he will forever be etched in the annals of our national story,” he added.
President Boakai noted Johnson’s ability to rally support, especially in Nimba County. “His political acumen and capacity to connect with the masses earned him admiration from his supporters and respect from even his critics,” he said. This skill allowed Johnson to transcend regional lines, becoming a key figure in shaping Liberia’s democracy.
The president recognized Johnson’s complicated past but emphasized his commitment to peace and reconciliation. “He often described himself as a man of peace—someone who had witnessed the consequences of division and sought to bridge those gaps through reconciliation,” Boakai remarked.
“Johnson publicly supported the establishment of a war crimes court, highlighting his dedication to healing in a nation still grappling with conflict’s scars. He also embraced the role of a pastor, reflecting his desire for spiritual reconciliation. Like many of us, he sought to come to terms with his past and find peace with the Creator,” President Boakai said.
The president stressed the need for genuine reconciliation. “I recognize the ongoing debate surrounding his passing, but his transition—after nearly four decades as a central figure in our history—should serve as an opportunity to unite us rather than divide us,” he urged, believing this is what Senator Johnson would have wanted. President Boakai concluded, “Though opinions may differ on his legacy, what we can all agree upon is that he played a significant part in Liberia’s journey—shaping our past, influencing our present, and leaving a mark on our future.”
“A Man Who Left an Indelible Mark”
Former President George Weah stated, “Senator Johnson’s story is one of transformation. He transitioned from a wartime leader to a statesman and ultimately a religious leader, dedicating much of his later years to preaching redemption and reconciliation.”
Weah praised Johnson for fostering peace and forgiveness despite his controversial past. “Senator Johnson was a man who left an indelible mark on our nation. While his past was not without controversy, he sought to make amends and worked tirelessly to promote healing and reconciliation. His contributions to Liberia’s peace process and his leadership in the Senate will not be forgotten,” Weah emphasized.
He added, “As we honor the memories of Senator Prince Johnson, let us recommit ourselves to the idea of peace, reconciliation, and unity that our nation so desperately needs. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God bless the Republic of Liberia. Farewell, great man!”
The funeral
Fallen Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson has been honored with a state funeral, capping nearly a week of national mourning for the former politician and humanitarian leader. Johnson was laid to rest on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at a private cemetery in Nimba County. Political leaders, friends, and family honored the life of the fallen senator at a funeral service held at LPRC Terminal in Ganta City, Nimba County, concluding more than a week of public tributes to the longest-serving senator, who died on November 28 at the age of 72.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, former president George Weah, members of the Liberian Senate and House of Representatives, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and countless citizens from across the country, attended the funeral in Ganta City, Nimba County, where Johnson’s profound impact on Liberia’s history was commemorated.
The state memorial service, which lasted roughly five hours, was packed with heartfelt and vivid remembrances that recalled both a powerful senator and politician as well as a thoughtful and giving man of faith.
Later, the mortal remains of Johnson were taken for interment at his residence, where his body was placed in a museum.
Sen. Johnson’s Rise and Fall
The passing of influential Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson on November 28, 2024, marks a significant chapter in Liberia’s tumultuous political history. Johnson was confirmed dead at the Hope for Women Clinic in Paynesville City. He had recently honored the legacy of former Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema.
From Warlord to Religious Leader and Politician
Born on July 6, 1952, Prince Yormie Johnson emerged from the chaos of the First Liberian Civil War as a notorious rebel leader and prominent political figure. Initially an officer in the Armed Forces of Liberia, he allied with Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) when the conflict erupted in 1989. Johnson’s rise to power was marked by brutality, culminating in the formation of his splinter group, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), responsible for the capture and execution of former President Samuel Doe in 1990.
In 1990, Johnson’s INPFL captured President Doe and filmed mutilating him before his death. The warlord later expressed regret but justified his actions, claiming he was defending “my country, my people, who were led to the slaughterhouse as if they were chickens and goats.” He also stated he had changed and become a pastor.
The civil war devastated Liberia, resulting in over 250,000 deaths and a staggering economic loss of $10 billion. Johnson’s role in this violence has made him a controversial figure, often cited in discussions about the need for accountability and justice in Liberia. His actions during the war have fueled calls for a war and economic crimes court, highlighting the struggle to address the legacy of impunity in the country.
Johnson was central to discussions about ending impunity in Liberia. His colleagues in the Senate viewed him as a prime example of the need for a war crimes court.
Feeling Marginalized: Johnson’s Political Struggles
As a key political player in Nimba County, Johnson wielded significant influence over electoral outcomes. His backing of former President George Weah in 2017 proved successful, but their relationship soured over time. By the 2023 elections, Johnson shifted his support to Joseph Boakai, leading to feelings of neglect.
After Boakai’s inauguration, Johnson publicly expressed discontent over perceived sidelining by the administration. During a live interview in March 2024, he voiced concerns about the lack of responsiveness from President Boakai and alleged financial incentives for endorsing the war crimes court.
His Plead for Recognition and Representation
To reclaim his influence, Johnson urged President Boakai to prioritize Nimba County in his appointments. In a Facebook post on February 4, 2024, he stated, “Don’t misinterpret my message to the President concerning the people of Nimba today. If it weren’t for Nimba and the electoral college of Liberia, my big brother, President Boakai, wouldn’t be president today. Therefore, Nimba needs to be happy.”
Johnson wrote, “We are not willing to disgrace the devils we unanimously agreed to address from the bush. Mr. President, please listen and make Nimba’s children happy by appointing them to your government. Please take our recommendations seriously and prioritize our children; they deserve better.”
The Legacy of a Controversial Figure
As a politician, Johnson was praised by constituents in Nimba County for his efforts to improve their lives. However, he also courted controversy. In 2021, he was sanctioned by the US for alleged pay-for-play funding, reportedly benefiting from government funding distribution. He faced accusations of selling votes for personal gain in several elections, leading to criticism from allies.
Pundits argue that Prince Y. Johnson’s life and career symbolize Liberia’s broader struggles to reconcile its past with demands for a just future. His involvement in the Civil War and subsequent political career serve as reminders of the complexities of leadership in a nation still grappling with violence and division.
