Thousands gathered in northern Liberia on Saturday to pay their respects at the funeral of Prince Johnson, a former warlord-turned-politician who became infamous for his role in the country’s brutal civil wars. Johnson, who died in November at the age of 72, passed away without facing trial for the atrocities he committed during the conflicts.
Liberia endured back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003, which left around 250,000 dead and caused widespread suffering, including massacres, rape, mutilation, and the use of child soldiers. Johnson became notorious in 1990 when a video surfaced of him sipping beer while overseeing the torture and execution of President Samuel Doe.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified Prince Johnson as one of the top perpetrators of war crimes, listing his involvement in killings, extortion, torture, and rape. Despite this, he never faced prosecution for his actions, as the commission’s recommendations were never implemented.
After the war, Prince Johnson became an influential political figure, serving as a senator and playing a key role in the last three presidential elections. His funeral, which followed a five-day state event, was attended by government officials, including President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, as well as a large crowd of supporters from his home county of Nimba.
The service highlighted Johnson’s controversial legacy, with some praising his defence of Nimba during the civil war, while others mourned the loss of a leader they viewed as irreplaceable.
