Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The remains of Senator Prince Y. Johnson arrived at the Capitol Building on Tuesday in a somber yet momentous state funeral ceremony.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh and Francis G. Boayue
The body was taken from the Samuel Stryker Funeral Home early in the morning and transported through Tubman Boulevard, accompanied by a large procession of mourners and supporters.
At the Monrovia City Hall, members of the 55th Legislature joined the funeral cortege, marching alongside the hearse carrying the transparent casket, which allowed the public to view the late senator for the last time.
Senator Prince Y. Johnson passed away on November 28, 2024, in a sudden and shocking turn of events. Family sources revealed that he collapsed in his room and was pronounced dead at a local clinic in Paynesville. His unexpected death has left Liberia grappling with the loss of one of its most controversial and prominent figures.
A Polarizing Legacy
Senator Johnson holds a complex place in Liberia’s modern history. He rose to prominence during the Liberian Civil War as the leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). Under his command, the INPFL captured and executed President Samuel Kanyon Doe in 1990—a moment that remains one of the most vivid and controversial chapters of the conflict.
After fleeing Liberia during the war, Johnson eventually returned and was elected Senator of Nimba County. He became the longest-serving post-war senator and one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Liberia’s history.
Johnson’s legacy is sharply divided. While some view him as a warlord responsible for atrocities committed during the civil war, he is deeply revered in his native Nimba County, where he is hailed as a liberator and a hero.
Weeklong Funeral Rites
The senator’s funeral ceremonies began on Monday with the signing of a book of condolence at the Capitol Building. His body will lie in state for public viewing before being transported to Nimba County for burial later this week.
Despite the mixed reactions to his death, the weeklong rites underscore Senator Johnson’s significance in Liberia’s history and politics. For many in Nimba, his passing marks the loss of a symbol of their struggle and resilience.
