LIBERIAN senator and former warlord Prince Johnson has passed away at the age of 72, according to an announcement from the Liberian Senate. Described as an ‘irreparable loss’ in a Senate statement, his death was marked by the suspension of Thursday’s plenary session until the following Tuesday.
‘May his contributions to our nation be remembered, and may his charitable legacy inspire future generations,’ the Senate noted in its tribute.
From warlord to politician
Johnson was a key figure during Liberia’s brutal civil wars (1989–2003), named by the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee as one of eight major faction leaders and topping the list of the ‘most notorious perpetrators.’
Despite his controversial past, Johnson co-signed a resolution earlier this year advocating for the prosecution of war criminals. This culminated in an executive order by President Joseph Boakai to establish a war crimes court. Johnson justified his support by highlighting the need for justice for his constituents, despite his inclusion on the list of alleged perpetrators.
While Liberia has yet to hold domestic trials for war crimes, figures such as ex-president Charles Taylor have been convicted overseas.
A political career marked by influence
Johnson returned to Liberia in 2004 after the Second Liberian Civil War and entered politics. Elected to the Senate in 2005, he founded two political parties—the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) in 2010 and the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) in 2016.
He was re-elected to the Senate in 2014 and 2023 and ran unsuccessfully for president in 2011 and 2017, placing third and fourth, respectively, in the first rounds of voting.
Johnson’s legacy remains polarising: hailed by some as a philanthropist and champion of justice, but remembered by others for his role in atrocities during Liberia’s darkest years. His passing leaves behind a complicated narrative of redemption, influence, and accountability.
