Facts have emerged on how the late Prince Yormie Johnson, an eccentric and brutish warlord who played a pivotal role in Liberia’s tumultuous history, surrendered himself into the hands of Nigeria-led ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) while trying to avoid capture by rebels loyal to National Patriotic Front of Libera (NPFL) leader Charles Taylor and spent the next 11 years of asylum in Nigeria.
Johnson surrendered to then ECOMOG Force Commander, late Major General Adetunji Idowu Ishola Olurin after losing out in a power struggle with Taylor in 1992. He was then taken to the high sea and kept on the then flagship, NNS ARADU.
Johnson was later moved to Nigeria and was kept in Lagos by the Federal Government where he spent over 11 years. He returned back to Liberia where he became an influential senator, religious leader, and educator. He passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of 72. His death followed a fall in his private bathroom at his residence in Paynesville and was subsequently pronounced dead at the Hope For Women Hospital.
His exile in Nigeria precluded him from involvement in the Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003).
While in Nigeria, Johnson became a confessed born-again Christian and reconciled with the family of late President Samuel Doe whom he brutally killed, through the intervention of the late influential Nigerian charismatic televangelist and leader and founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor T. B. Joshua.
The First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997) marked Johnson’s emergence as a formidable warlord. Initially aligning with Charles Taylor’s NPFL, he later broke away to form the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). Battling his erstwhile NPFL comrades in arms, Johnson cooperated with ECOMOG to foil NPFL attack on Monrovia.
The INPFL under Johnson was notorious for its brutal tactics. A defining moment for Johnson’s fearsome reputation was in 1990 when he played a key role in the first battle for Monrovia. His ragged band of fighters held the Port of Monrovia when the first West African intervention force landed in Liberia in August 1990, locating its headquarters at the Port.
It was at the headquarters of the ECOMOG peacekeeping force that his troops captured then President Doe and brutally killed him. Johnson documented on video his interrogation and torture of the wounded Doe, showing both his ears being cut off before he was killed.
Born on July 6, 1952 in Tapeta, Nimba County, Johnson was raised by his uncle in Monrovia. In 1971, he enlisted in the Liberian National Guard, which later became the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in the aftermath of Samuel Doe’s 1980 overthrow of President William R. Tolbert.
Demonstrating leadership potential, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, receiving military training in both Liberia and the United States, where he was instructed in military police duties in South Carolina.
A stern, often draconian, disciplinarian, he served as Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to General Thomas Quiwonkpa, the Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia and accompanied him into exile in 1983, after Quiwonkpa was accused of plotting a coup against Doe.
The former Lieutenant in the Liberian army joined Taylor in his guerilla war to remove Doe in 1989. But he split away a few months later to form his own faction, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). Johnson’s ragged band of fighters held the port of Monrovia when the first West African intervention force landed in Liberia in August 1990 to try and restore order in a country.
Returning from his asylum in Nigeria back to Liberia in 2004, he sought power through the ballot box rather than the barrel of a gun. He clearly had his eyes set on eventually becoming President as he transitioned into politics through leveraging his influence in the vote-rich Nimba County.
But 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.
As the Liberian Observer newspaper wrote: “Johnson’s past continued to shadow his political career. In December 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned him under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, citing his involvement in corruption. The sanctions highlighted his alleged participation in pay-for-play schemes and the sale of votes in multiple Liberian elections. The Treasury’s statement underscored that such actions undermined democratic processes and eroded public trust.
“Beyond politics, Johnson portrayed himself as a religious leader. 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.
“Johnson’s legacy is further complicated by his stance on accountability for wartime atrocities. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia recommended his prosecution for alleged war crimes. However, Johnson consistently opposed the establishment of a war and economic crimes court, arguing that such measures would destabilize the nation. He maintained that the amnesty provisions of the Accra Peace Agreement protected him and others from prosecution. His resistance to the court was a source of significant controversy, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and victims’ groups.
“Johnson is the second major former warlord from the Liberian civil war to have died without having faced trial for war crimes. The first, Alhaji G. V. Kromah, died on January 18, 2022, at the age of 68.
“Johnson’s personal journey from military officer to warlord, and eventually to senator and pastor, reflects the complexities of Liberia’s path to peace and reconciliation. His life was marked by attempts to reconcile his violent past with aspirations for spiritual redemption and public service. Despite his efforts to rebrand himself, his legacy remains a subject of intense debate among Liberians and the international community.
“Prince Y. Johnson’s life encapsulates the turbulent history of Liberia over the past several decades. From his role in the civil war to his influence in politics, religious leadership, and contentious views on justice, his multifaceted legacy will continue to evoke diverse perspectives. As Liberia progresses on its journey toward lasting peace and democracy, the full impact of Johnson’s contributions and transgressions will be scrutinized and remembered.”
