Liberian ex-warlord Prince Yormie Johnson dies at 72
Former Liberian warlord, Prince Yormie Johnson, a key player in the 1989-2003 back-to-back civil wars, died Thursday aged 72. Officials from his party and the Senate told AFP.
Johnson, who was seen sipping beer in a video as fighters loyal to him tortured then president Samuel Doe to death in 1990, was an influential senator.
He served as a senator for Nimba County since 2006. A former rebel leader played a prominent role in the First Liberian Civil War.
“Senator Johnson was the longest-serving senator,” said Siaffa Jallah, deputy director of press at the Senate.
According to reports, the former warlord collapsed in his bathroom during a shower and went into a coma. He was later confirmed dead upon arrival at a local health facility.
“Yes, we lost him this morning. He passed away at Hope for Women (health centre)”, Wilfred Bangura, a senior official in Prince Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction party, told AFP.
The death of Doe was an early bloody episode that would plunge Liberia into two civil wars, which killed some 250,000 people and ravaged the economy.
Following the civil war, Johnson sought exile in Nigeria, where he reportedly converted to Christianity and reconciled with the Doe family. Returning to Liberia in 2004, he transitioned into politics, leveraging his influence in Nimba County. In 2005, he was elected as a senator for Nimba County, a position he held until his death. Johnson’s political acumen was evident as he became a kingmaker in successive presidential elections, notably influencing outcomes in 2005, 2011, and 2017. His endorsements were often pivotal, reflecting his deep-rooted connections and sway within his constituency.
Prince Johnson, who hailed from the northern region of Nimba, later became a preacher in an evangelical church where he enjoyed wide popularity.
He founded the Chapel of Faith Ministries in Paynesville, serving as its lead pastor. Through his sermons, he often waxed commentary on political issues, giving insights into his political inclinations at any given time. Johnson also established educational institutions, aiming to provide opportunities for Liberia’s youth. These endeavors were part of his broader effort to reshape his public image from a warlord to a community leader and advocate for development.
He was also a leading opponent of the creation of a tribunal that would try civil war-related crimes.
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