MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Former President George Manneh Weah, leader of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has expressed his deep sorrow over the unexpected death of Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson. The senator passed away in the early morning of Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Monrovia.
Weah shared his heartfelt condolences to Johnson’s family, the people of Nimba County, and the Liberian Senate, saying, “Liberia is bereaved; Nimba is bereaved; the Liberian Senate is bereaved. May his soul and those of all faithful departed rest in peace. Amen!”
Senator Johnson, a highly influential yet controversial figure in Liberia’s political sphere, was instrumental in Weah’s victory during the 2017 presidential elections. Johnson had endorsed Weah ahead of the runoff election on November 7, 2017, in alignment with the Ganta Declaration, a 2016 agreement among opposition leaders to oust the ruling Unity Party, led by then-Vice President Joseph Boakai. Johnson rallied other opposition leaders to support Weah, advocating for change in the government.
However, their alliance deteriorated during Weah’s presidency. In 2023, Johnson publicly withdrew his support from the CDC-led government, citing unfulfilled promises made to Nimba County. According to Johnson, a 2017 agreement ensured key ministerial and ambassadorial posts for individuals from Nimba, based on his recommendations. He expressed frustration that these commitments had not been honored, despite his persistent efforts to engage the government.
“Since the CDC-led government assumed power in 2018, we have not seen our people from Nimba County in the high-ranking positions we agreed upon,” Johnson said in his statement. “We are now forced to announce that we are halting our political support for the Coalition.”
Prince Y. Johnson was a polarizing figure in Liberia’s history. He rose to prominence as the leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), a rebel faction that split from Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) during the Liberian Civil War. Johnson became infamous for his role in the 1990 execution of former President Samuel K. Doe, an event captured in a notorious video. Despite his controversial past, Johnson transitioned to a political career, serving as a senator and maintaining a significant influence in Nimba County.
Johnson’s death represents the end of an era in both Nimba County and Liberia’s political history. His legacy, shaped by his dual roles as a rebel leader and political figure, continues to generate mixed reactions across the country. As the country mourns his passing, it is likely to reignite discussions about his role in Liberia’s turbulent history.
