Monrovia – In spite of scorching sun, thousands of mourners converged on the LPRC Square on Saturday to pay tribute to former warlord-turned-senator, Prince Yormie Johnson.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
A sea of umbrellas added to the color as mourners whistled, sang, and danced while proceedings at the 5,000-seat venue were delayed as the president, Joseph Boakai, his vice president, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, former Liberian president, George Weah, and many other current and former lawmakers, judiciary staff and political leaders made their way.
Never mind the fact that his Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia was responsible for the killing of scores of Liberians during the civil war. In life, Prince Yormie Johnson instilled fear in many at the height of Liberia’s civil war.
In his post-war days, he shredded the military gear for civilian suits, transforming himself into one of the most influential politicians in recent memory. “Senator Johnson’s story is one of transformation,” former President George Weah declared while addressing thousands in attendance at the funeral of the former warlord-turned Senator.
“He transitioned from a wartime leader to a statesman and ultimately a religious leader, dedicating much of his latter years to preaching redemption and reconciliation.” The former President commended Johnson for using his latter platform to foster peace and forgiveness, despite the shadows of his past.
One has to understand the politics of Liberia to comprehend the lingering questions over the late Senator Johnson’s funeral: Why did all the who’s who in government and national politics deserted the capital, Monrovia just to be seen at the funeral of the once-feared warlord?
The rise of the kingmaker
Even in death, Johnson’s persona took over a nation consumed by politics. The late senator hailed from Nimba County, now regarded as a key constituency for anyone desiring the presidency. With the county’s area measuring 11,551 square miles (29,920 km 2), Nimba is the largest of Liberia’s 15 counties. The county has six statutory districts and as of the 2022 Census, it had a population of 621,841, making it the second most populous county in Liberia.
In all the presidential elections since the end of the civil war in 2005, the late Nimba County folklore contributed to the elections of all the winners of the post-war election, including Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, George Weah and the current President Joseph Boakai. So, it was a befitting footnote to the life of a man of many complications.
Johnson’s influence in delivering Nimba County’s votes was instrumental in Boakai’s electoral victory in the 2023 presidential election. During both the October 10 election and the November 14 runoff, Johnson’s support proved decisive, with Boakai securing an overwhelming 74.14 percent of votes in the county.
Johnson’s departure from former President George Weah’s camp was fueled by frustration over his waning influence within the CDC-led government. Once a central figure in the administration’s “pay-for-play politics”—a practice that earned him U.S. Treasury sanctions—Johnson saw his demands increasingly ignored during the latter years of Weah’s administration. His attempts to secure government positions for his kinsmen and women fell flat, prompting him to align with Boakai.
By securing Koung as Boakai’s running mate, Johnson envisioned not only regaining his leverage but also positioning Nimba County for future political dominance. Viewing Boakai as too old and frail to govern effectively, Johnson anticipated that Koung, as Vice President, would assume a significant share of presidential duties, granting him, Senator Johnson, indirect influence.
Fallout and Betrayal
However, cracks in the alliance began to show early in Boakai’s presidency. During his inaugural address, Boakai prioritized the establishment of a war and economic crimes tribunal—a move that unnerved Johnson, who remained a controversial figure for his wartime atrocities.
In a March interview with Truth FM, Senator Johnson lamented the breakdown of communication with Boakai, alleging that the president had distanced himself. “Mr. Boakai has even refused to pick up my phone because of his connection with the Allan White group. They think I am a war criminal,” Johnson complained.
Funeral riddled with political reactions
The funeral itself had all the markings of a political arena, with some politicians making a pitch to identify with Nimba, and some like Vice President Jeremiah Koung, doing all he can to cement himself as the ultimate successor of Johnson and the new Kingmaker of Nimba County.
From the look of things at Saturday’s funeral, it appears there will be a tough fight to replace the influence of the fallen Senator.
One key highlight of the funeral was when Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely took to the stage to eulogize Johnson. Nimley reflected on his decades-long friendship with Johnson, the political struggles Johnson faced, and the deep scars left by Liberia’s past.
Senator Johnson and I shared a special bond,” said Nimely, recounting the personal connection he had with the former senator. “We had countless discussions about peace and the future of this nation. Johnson spent much of his life advocating for redemption and healing, both for himself and for Liberia.” Yet, despite his efforts, Nimely expressed that Johnson felt deeply betrayed by the very system he had supported — an accusation leveled against the administration of President Boakai.
The betrayal, as Nimely sees it, stemmed from the failure to honor promises made to Johnson in exchange for his political loyalty. “Johnson supported successive leaders, including President Boakai, with the hope that they would shield him from prosecution for his role in Liberia’s civil war,” said Nimely. “But when the time came for that promise to be kept, it was broken.”
Johnson, who once commanded the forces that fought against the regime of President Samuel Doe, lived with the constant threat of prosecution hanging over him. His involvement in the brutal 1990 killing of President Doe, a native of Grand Gedeh County, left an indelible mark on his legacy.
While some see Johnson as a freedom fighter, others view him as the embodiment of the violence that consumed Liberia during the civil war. Despite his checkered past, Johnson’s support for both George Weah and Joseph Boakai had always been motivated by the hope of avoiding legal retribution.
In a candid moment, Nimely recalled Johnson’s own words: “I fought for Liberia’s future, but the government I believed in betrayed me.” These words resonated deeply with those in attendance, highlighting the complexity of Liberia’s post-war politics. Nimely warned that Johnson’s fate could set a dangerous precedent. “There are over 100,000 ex-combatants in this country. If one of us is persecuted, it will send a message that none of us are safe,” Nimely warned. “This is a battle many of us are not willing to fight.”
PYJ’s MDR agrees with Nimely’s assertion
Meanwhile, the late Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), while eulogizing their political leader, accused the Unity Party of President Boakai of betraying Johnson’s trust by backing the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
The party said their political leader was “always troubled” by President Boakai’s resolve to establish the court, despite helping him to win the 2023 presidential election. “Before our political leader’s death, he had always complained about the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court. We, from the MDR believe it’s from the accompanying pressure by the Unity Party to agree in establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court that may have led to Senator Johnson’s death,” the MDR said while paying tribute to the late Johnson.
Koung’s response
Koung defended the legacy of the late Senator Johnson, emphasizing his unwavering support for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
Koung responded to claims by Nimely that Johnson was betrayed by the Boakai administration.
“Senator Johnson was in full support of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court,” Koung clarified. “That is why he signed the resolution. He was not afraid of the court; in fact, he wanted to use it as a platform to clear his name and set the record straight.”
“The late Sen. Johnson wasn’t guilty for bearing the weight of Nimbaians’ pains and standing boldly against tyranny. The revolution he joined was not a quest for power but a fight for justice —a declaration that Nimba County and its people were not guilty of the labels imposed upon them by a tyrannical regime. Senator Johnson was in full support of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court,” Koung clarified.
In honoring Johnson’s legacy, Boakai reflected on Johnson’s complex legacy and urged the nation to pursue unity and healing.
“Senator Johnson will forever be held in the annals of Liberia’s history,” President Boakai said. “He had the remarkable ability to rally people, making him a significant force in Nimba and beyond. While his past is intertwined with the painful history of our country, he transformed into a leader promoting reconciliation.”
The president noted Johnson’s public support for the establishment of a war crimes court, a stance that reflected his commitment to justice and healing in Liberia. “Senator Johnson publicly supported the establishment of the war crimes court, a bold step toward addressing our nation’s difficult history,” Boakai stated.
Former President George Weah Reflects on Senator Prince Johnson’s Legacy
In paying his tribute, Weah highlighted Johnson’s journey from a wartime leader to a statesman and religious figure.
“Senator Johnson’s story is one of transformation,” Weah remarked. “He transitioned from a statesman to a religious leader, dedicating much of his later years to preaching redemption and reconciliation.”
The former president described Johnson as a man who left an indelible mark on Liberia’s history. “He was a great man who, despite the complexities of his past, worked to promote peace and forgiveness. As we reflect on his passing, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals of unity and national healing,” Weah said.
Replacing Johnson and the 2029 Battle
From the look of things at Saturday’s funeral, it appears there will be a tough fight to replace the influence of the fallen Senator. Koung, meanwhile, will for the first-time contest for a political office without the support of Johnson. The vice president had always relied on the late Johnson’s political influence to win an election. From becoming a representative twice (from 2011-2017), to senator in 2020 and becoming vice president, the late Johnson played a crucial role in those election feats.
With Nimba County considered as a stronghold of the MDR and Koung’s decision to denounce his allegiance with the party, political observers believe that if Koung fails to make amends with the party, any future election for him in Nimba County would be difficult for him without Johnson’s influence.
From remarks made by the MDR at the late senator’s funeral, it seems there is a looming political tension between the MDR and the vice president that if not settled the soonest could be catastrophic for Koung.
Weah, meanwhile, might be looking to politically exploit Johnson’s demise ahead of 2029 to build on his fortunes recorded in the county 2023. Weah’s CDC, for the first time in an election year in 2023, garnered a significant number of votes in Nimba County, garnering over 25 percent of the votes.
Without Johnson and with key Nimba sons and daughters still within his ranks, political observers believe 2029 might be the year the CDC might put up a much bigger fight in Nimba compared to 2029.
