Liberians on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, paid final respects to one of its most contentious figures, Senator Prince Y. Johnson, in a state funeral ceremony held at the Capitol Building. The late senator’s remains, encased in a transparent casket, were transported from the Samuel Stryker Funeral Home at dawn, moving through Tubman Boulevard in a somber procession marked by mourning and reflection.
The day’s proceedings began at Monrovia City Hall, where members of the 55th Legislature joined the funeral cortege. Marching alongside the hearse, lawmakers and supporters accompanied the man who shaped Nimba County’s political scene and played a divisive role in Liberia’s history. Johnson’s sudden death on November 28, 2024, shocked the nation, with family members revealing he collapsed in his bathroom before being rushed to a clinic in Paynesville, where he was pronounced dead.
At the time of his passing, Johnson, 72, had been serving as Nimba County’s senator since 2006, cementing his reputation as one of Liberia’s longest-serving lawmakers. However, his legacy extends far beyond the Senate chambers. Rising to prominence during the civil war as the leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), Johnson orchestrated some of the most controversial events in Liberia’s history, including the infamous 1990 capture and execution of President Samuel Kanyon Doe.
While many recall his wartime actions with disdain, Johnson’s legacy in Nimba County remains deeply revered. To his constituents, he was a liberator and a political giant who fiercely advocated for their interests. Yet, his reputation elsewhere was marred by allegations of human rights violations, with his name appearing on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s list of individuals recommended for prosecution for crimes against humanity.
In death, Johnson’s dual legacy has generated reflection on his impact on Liberia. Known for his political influence, he played a pivotal role in supporting the election of two former presidents and current President Joseph Boakai. His influence as a kingmaker was unparalleled, but his passing comes at a time when Liberia is moving closer to addressing the atrocities of its past. The establishment of an Office of War and Economic Crimes under President Boakai’s administration signals a renewed push for accountability, a process that could have implicated Johnson had he lived longer.
Meanwhile, Nimba County is preparing for the final homegoing of its most celebrated and polarizing son. A high-profile delegation, including former culture ambassador Juli Endee, Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono, and Ganta City Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt, is spearheading funeral arrangements in the county. Endee, addressing reporters in Ganta, said the county is determined to give Johnson a heroic send-off befitting his stature.
The senator’s body will be transported across six major towns in Nimba before being laid to rest in Ganta on January 18, 2025. His final resting place will be on the grounds of the PYJ Polytechnic University, a legacy institution he built to serve his people. Superintendent Gono expressed hope that the funeral would serve as a unifying moment for the people of Nimba, honoring the senator’s dedication to his county.
Ganta’s Mayor Hardt assured residents and mourners that all preparations had been finalized, commending the collaborative efforts of the local business community and security forces for their support. He described the event as an opportunity for the county to reflect on Johnson’s legacy while celebrating his achievements.
Johnson’s death marks the end of an era for Liberia’s post-war politics, leaving behind a legacy of fierce loyalty in Nimba and widespread controversy across the country. As Liberians bid farewell to the former warlord-turned-statesman, his life remains a vivid reminder of the difficulties of leadership, justice, and reconciliation in a country still struggling with its turbulent past. For Nimbaians, however, the memory of Prince Y. Johnson endures as that of a hero who championed their cause against all odds.
