GANTA, NIMBA COUNTY – The late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, a towering figure in Liberia’s turbulent history, is remembered by his peers as a man who endured both political and personal betrayal. Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, during the funeral service on Saturday, January 18, 2025, offered a tribute to Johnson, reflecting on their decades-long friendship, the political struggles Johnson faced, and the deep scars left by Liberia’s past.
“Senator Johnson and I shared a special bond,” said Nimely, recounting the personal connection he had with the former senator. “We had countless discussions about peace and the future of this nation. Johnson spent much of his life advocating for redemption and healing, both for himself and for Liberia.” Yet, despite his efforts, Nimely expressed that Johnson felt deeply betrayed by the very system he had supported—an accusation leveled against the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The betrayal, as Nimely sees it, stemmed from the failure to honor promises made to Johnson in exchange for his political loyalty. “Johnson supported successive leaders, including President Boakai, with the hope that they would shield him from prosecution for his role in Liberia’s civil war,” said Nimely. “But when the time came for that promise to be kept, it was broken.”
Johnson, who once commanded the forces that fought against the regime of President Samuel Doe, lived with the constant threat of prosecution hanging over him. His involvement in the brutal 1990 killing of President Doe, a native of Grand Gedeh County, left an indelible mark on his legacy. While some see Johnson as a freedom fighter, others view him as the embodiment of the violence that consumed Liberia during the civil war. Despite his checkered past, Johnson’s support for both George Weah and Joseph Boakai had always been motivated by the hope of avoiding legal retribution.
In a candid moment, Nimely recalled Johnson’s own words: “I fought for Liberia’s future, but the government I believed in betrayed me.” These words resonated deeply with those in attendance, highlighting the complexity of Liberia’s post-war politics. Nimely warned that Johnson’s fate could set a dangerous precedent. “There are over 100,000 ex-combatants in this country. If one of us is persecuted, it will send a message that none of us are safe,” Nimely warned. “This is a battle many of us are not willing to fight.”
Despite his bitterness toward the government, Johnson’s final years were marked by a desire for reconciliation, especially between Nimba and Grand Gedeh. The historic conflict between the two counties, rooted in the death of President Doe at Johnson’s hands, left scars that persist today. Yet Johnson frequently expressed his longing to heal these wounds.
“I want to see the people of Nimba and Grand Gedeh work together,” Johnson once remarked in a speech. “Our future depends on our ability to forgive the past.” This sentiment, however, was often overshadowed by the political realities that continued to divide these regions.
Nimely, reflecting on these words, challenged the people of both counties to take up Johnson’s mantle and work towards unity. “Senator Johnson wanted reconciliation, but we haven’t had the courage to pursue it. Now, I ask you to rise to the challenge. Let us unite for the sake of our people and our future.”
Johnson’s death marks a significant moment in Liberia’s ongoing struggles with justice and national healing. The decision by President Boakai to move forward with the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, a key issue for Johnson, has sparked debates over accountability and national unity. Nimely noted the irony in Johnson’s shift of political allegiance, from George Weah to Boakai in 2023, believing that the latter would offer the protection he had long sought. “But when the time came, Boakai acted in ways that left Johnson feeling betrayed,” Nimely said. “Johnson had hoped for reconciliation, but instead, he received the harsh reality of political compromise.”
Nimely, himself a former rebel leader and influential political figure, touched on his own complicated past. He led the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) during the Second Liberian Civil War, an armed group that opposed Charles Taylor’s regime. After the war, Nimely served as Liberia’s foreign minister in the transitional government. His experiences mirror those of Johnson, and he understands all too well the challenges of balancing justice and political expediency.
“We have been through too much war in this country,” Nimely stated, urging Liberians to shift their focus from retribution to national reconstruction. “We must learn to forgive and look forward, not dwell endlessly in the shadows of our past.”
As a sitting senator, Nimely called for unity between Grand Gedeh and Nimba, urging both communities to set aside their historical grievances for the greater good of their collective future. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Let’s come together and focus on what truly matters: the development and progress of our counties.”
