Prince Johnson, a Liberian senator and former warlord, passed away on Thursday at the age of 72, the Liberia Senate announced.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the Senate described Johnson’s death as an “irreparable loss” and suspended its plenary session until next Tuesday to honor his memory. “May his contributions to our nation be remembered, and may his charitable legacy inspire future generations,” the Senate wrote.
A Controversial Legacy
Johnson, a prominent figure during Liberia’s civil wars (1989–2003), was identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee as one of the “most notorious perpetrators” of wartime atrocities. He led one of the factions during the conflict and remained a polarizing figure in post-war Liberia.
Despite his controversial past, Johnson co-signed a parliamentary resolution in June advocating for the prosecution of war criminals. This move paved the way for an executive order by former Liberian President Joseph Boakai to establish a war crimes court. While no one has faced trial within Liberia, several figures, including ex-president Charles Taylor, have been convicted of war crimes abroad.
Johnson defended his support for the resolution, stating that justice for war victims was a priority for his constituents.
Political Career
After the Second Liberian Civil War ended, Johnson returned to Liberia in 2004 and entered politics, winning a Senate seat in the 2005 general election. He founded the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) in 2010 but was later expelled from the party in 2014.
In 2016, he established the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), under which he was re-elected to the Senate in 2014 and 2023. Johnson also ran for president twice, finishing third in 2011 and fourth in 2017 during the first round of voting.
Prince Johnson’s passing marks the end of a tumultuous and influential life that left a deep imprint on Liberia’s history and politics.
