NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA – The funeral of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson on January 18, 2025, took a dramatic turn as members of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), the political party he founded, linked his death to the contentious issue of establishing a war crimes court in Liberia.
Addressing mourners during the emotional service, MDR representative Nesco Wollo claimed that the late Senator’s demise was a direct result of stress stemming from his involvement in discussions about the war crimes court. “I firmly believe Senator Johnson succumbed to the pressure surrounding this issue,” Wollo declared.
Wollo recounted an alleged conversation with Johnson, revealing the Senator’s anguish over the unrelenting calls for accountability for atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars. “He said his people suffered indescribable horrors during the war,” Wollo shared. “He was tired of being hounded by demands for a war crimes court. He felt they were determined to see him fall, and he was ready to face whatever fate awaited him.”
The MDR representative claimed that shortly before his death, Johnson expressed a sense of finality. “He told us, ‘My mission is complete. You must now carry on.’ Those were his words,” Wollo recounted, adding that the Senator’s death symbolized the immense strain he endured.
Johnson, a former warlord who led the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), had long resisted the establishment of a war crimes court. However, his unexpected decision to sign a Senate resolution in April 2024 supporting the court marked a significant shift. The resolution aimed to address long-standing calls for justice from civil society groups and international organizations.
Johnson’s previous opposition to the court centered on concerns that it might violate the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) and destabilize Liberia. However, mounting pressure from domestic and international actors appeared to have forced his hand.
While Johnson publicly described his decision as a necessary compromise, Wollo’s statements painted a picture of a man cornered by external forces rather than driven by a genuine change of heart.
The MDR’s assertion that Johnson’s death resulted from the psychological toll of the court’s creation has sparked a fierce debate. Some argue that the stress faced by Johnson and other former warlords is a natural consequence of Liberia’s pursuit of justice and accountability.
“The establishment of a war crimes court is a moral imperative for Liberia to heal and move forward,” said a representative from a victims’ advocacy group. “We cannot let the fears of a few individuals outweigh the need for justice for thousands of victims.”
Others, however, view Johnson’s journey as emblematic of the difficult reconciliation process Liberia faces. “Johnson’s story is a reminder of the complex legacy of our civil conflict. Accountability must be balanced with efforts to unify the country,” a Nimba County elder remarked.
