A contentious yet significant figure in Liberian politics, Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, passed away on November 28, 2024, at Hope for Women Hospital in Paynesville.
After returning from Nimba County, where he attended the commissioning of an addition at the PYJ Polytechnic—one of his notable contributions to the community—he suddenly fell ill and died. His death marks the end of an era in Liberian politics and has a profound impact on both his supporters and critics.
The late senator Prince Johnson, 72, rose to prominence during Liberia’s civil war as a warlord and later became an influential politician. He served as a senator for Nimba County and effectively used strategic alliances to influence the outcomes of three presidential elections.
His support was crucial in Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s victories in 2005 and 2011, highlighting his ability to mobilize support in Nimba County. Similarly, his backing of Joseph Boakai in 2023 and George Weah in 2017 played vital roles in their respective successes, reinforcing his status as a political kingmaker.
However, Johnson’s legacy is marred by his actions during the conflict, most notably the assassination of President Samuel Doe by his soldiers. Despite numerous calls for a war crimes court, he maintained his political prominence and power, often framing his actions as a defense of the community.
His political career reflected a tension between demands for justice and the practical realities of political maneuvering, emblematic of Liberia’s complex reconciliation process.
With Johnson’s passing, there is now a leadership vacuum in Nimba County, raising questions about the county’s future political alignment. Furthermore, his death reignites conversations about accountability and the legacy of crimes committed during Liberia’s civil war, especially as many continue to seek justice for these events.
