Liberia: Pres. Boakai, Ex-President Weah, Lead Reactions to ‘Nimba Godfather, Prince Johnson’s Death
MONROVIA — Liberians have reacted to the death of the Senator of Nimba County, Prince Yormie Johnson, who died in Monrovia at the age of 72.
By Selma Lomax, Gerald C. Koinyeneh and Obediah Johnson
FrontPageAfrica gathered the warlord turned politician had returned from Nimba County Wednesday, after honoring the legacy of the late Gnassingbe Eyadema, former President of Togo, by naming his PYJ university’s auditorium after him during a ceremony on November 25.
However, news broke that Johnson died in the early hours of Thursday at the Hope for Women Hospital on AB Tolbert Road in Paynesville.
President Joseph Boakai expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the sudden passing of Johnson, describing the former Nimba County senator as a figure who played a pivotal role in Liberia’s complex historical evolution and contributed to national discourse through his service in the Senate.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Johnson family and the people of our industrious County of Nimba. Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s passing is a loss to his family, his constituents, and our nation,” President Boakai stated.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Johnson family and the people of our industrious County of Nimba. Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s passing is a loss to his family, his constituents, and our nation,” President Boakai stated.
Vice President Jeremiah Koung, accompanied by senior government officials and prominent figures from Nimba County, arrived at the late Senator’s residence Thursday morning visibly emotional as they mourned the loss of a man regarded as the “political godfather of Nimba County.”
The social media has been inundated with mixed reactions, with some Liberians poking fun at the death of Senator Johnson, who captured and killed former Liberian President Samuel Doe in the latter part of 1990 as one of the continent’s deadliest wars raged against the country’s first native president whose 1980 coupe ended over 130 years of Americo-Liberians’ reign.
‘A Blow to Liberia’
The Liberian Senate has sent a message of condolence to the bereaved family of Johnson. A Senate press release quotes the leadership of the Senate as describing the death of Senator Johnson as not only a blow to the Liberian Senate but the country at large, noting, his death is an irreparable loss.
Prior to his death, served four Legislatures, including the 52nd, 53rd, 54th and now the 55th in various capacities.
He was the longest-serving member of the Senate in post-war Liberia. Elected in 2005, Senator Johnson was elected for the third consecutive nine-year tenure in the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.
During his tenures, Johnson served as Chairman of the Senate Committee, on Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, and Chairman on Internal Affairs, Governance and Reconciliation and a long serving member of the ECOWAS Parliament based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Senate in its mournful remembrance of the fallen Senator, has suspended its Thursday, November 28, 2024 Plenary sitting to next Tuesday.
“May his contributions to our Nation be remembered, and may his charitable legacy inspire future generations”, the Senate stated.
‘I’m devastated’ – Edith Gongloe-Weh
Madam Edith Gongloe, former Superintendent of Nimba County, expressed shock over the news of Senator Johnson, saying she was personally devastated by the sad development.
Gongloe-Weh, who is currently in the United States of America, described Johnson as a loving family head and a respected leader. She was also a long-term political foe of Senator Johnson. She ran against him in 2014 Senatorial election and was defeated.
‘Johnson was a visionary leader’ – Former Rep. Mulbah
Former Bong County representative, George Mulbah, said Johnson’s death is painful and shocking. Mulbah expressed deep sadness on receiving the news of the senator’s death and consoled with the immediate family of the deceased, the Liberian Senate and people of Nimba County over the irreparable loss.
Split opinions over PYJ’s death
Johnson was well known for his role in the Liberian civil war. Intially and ally of former President Chairles Taylor, Jonson soon broke away with Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and formed the Independent Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL).
In 1990, his rebel faction captured, tortured and killed President Samuel Kanyon Doe.
Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission listed Johnson alongside several warlords to face prosecution for his role in the Liberian civil war. Both supporters and victims of the war have expressed their opinion in the wake of his death.
An elite member of the ruling Unity Party, Boakai Jalieba, posted to his Facebook handle, saying the late Johnson meant different things to different people. For the Nimbaians (residents of] Nimba County) who witnessed the brutal slaying of children during Doe’s regime and the horrific massacre at the Lutheran Church, where scores of innocent people were killed, they see him as a man avenging the loss of their loved ones.
For the people of the Americo-Liberian elite, he added, who saw their sons slaughtered at the mansion and their fathers summarily executed, his actions are viewed as an act of revenge.
“On the other hand, those who are aggrieved by PYJ’s actions have a very different perspective of him. Ultimately, people are entitled to celebrate or condemn their hero or villain as they see fit. We should stop questioning why someone mourns or feels sorry for PYJ’s death,” he said.
Beatrice Scott, who claimed to be a victim of the civil war, posted to Facebook, saying, “I know we are not God to judge but those who took innocent lives back then shouldn’t find peace. We all pray for our enemies to die right so why don’t you pray for Senator Johnson not to find peace too.”
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