Liberian Senator and former warlord, Prince Yormie Johnson, has died at age 72.
The former warlord collapsed in his bathroom during a shower at his residence in Paynesville and went into a coma. He was later confirmed dead upon arrival at a local health facility.
“Senator Johnson was the longest-serving senator,” said Siaffa Jallah, deputy director of press at the Senate.
“Yes, we lost him this morning. He passed away at Hope for Women (health centre)”, Wilfred Bangura, a senior official in Prince Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction party, told AFP.
Johnson served as a senator for Nimba County since 2006. A former rebel leader played a prominent role in the First Liberian Civil War.
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. Demonstrating leadership potential, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and received military training both domestically and in the United States.
Serving as aide-de-camp to General Thomas Quiwonkpa, Johnson’s military trajectory was closely aligned with Liberia’s political upheavals.
The First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997) marked Johnson’s emergence as a formidable warlord. Initially aligning with Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia, he later broke away to form the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia due to ideological differences.
Under his command, the INPFL became notorious for its brutal tactics. A defining moment was the 1990 capture and execution of President Samuel Doe, displaying a harrowing event that was videotaped and circulated widely, cementing Johnson’s fearsome reputation.
Following the civil war, Johnson sought exile in Nigeria, Returning to Liberia in 2004, he transitioned into politics, leveraging his influence in Nimba County.
In 2005, Johnson was elected as a senator for Nimba County, a position he held until his death.
He was also a leading opponent of the creation of a tribunal that would try civil war-related crimes.
