Prince Johnson, a former Liberian warlord and influential senator, has passed away at the age of 72.
His death was confirmed by officials from his political party and the senate.
Johnson, infamous for his role in Liberia’s civil wars (1989-2003), gained global notoriety for a video showing him sipping beer while his fighters tortured and killed then-President Samuel Doe in 1990.
This gruesome act marked one of the early and bloodiest chapters in the civil conflicts that claimed over 250,000 lives and devastated Liberia’s economy.
Wilfred Bangura, a senior official from Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction, MDR, party, confirmed his passing at the Hope for Women health centre.
“Senator Johnson was the longest-serving senator,” said Siaffa Jallah, Deputy Director of Press at the Senate.
Prince Johnson hailed from Nimba County in northern Liberia, a region where he enjoyed strong support.
After the civil wars, he transitioned into politics, becoming a senator and an outspoken figure in Liberia’s government.
In addition to his political career, Johnson became an evangelical preacher, drawing widespread popularity in his church.
Despite his controversial past, he remained a polarizing yet influential figure in Liberia, opposing efforts to establish a war crimes tribunal to prosecute those involved in atrocities during the civil wars.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
