Ex-Liberian warlord, Prince Johnson, dies at 72

Ex-Liberian warlord, Prince Johnson, dies at 72

Prince Johnson, a former Liberian warlord infamous for his role in the gruesome killing of ex-president Samuel Doe during Liberia’s civil war, has died at the age of 72.

“It is true that he died this morning,” confirmed family member Moses Ziah to Reuters on Thursday.

Family spokesperson Wilfred Bangura also verified that Johnson, who had been managing high blood pressure, passed away earlier in the day.

Johnson gained international notoriety during Liberia’s brutal civil wars, which spanned from 1989 to 2003 and left over 200,000 dead, with thousands more subjected to rape and mutilation. More than one million people were displaced by the violence.

His rise to infamy was cemented in 1990, when a widely circulated video showed him presiding over the torture and execution of President Doe. The footage captured Johnson drinking beer and watching as his men cut off Doe’s ear before killing him.

READ ALSO:

• FBI arrests Bola ‘Bobo Chicago’ over $2.8m fraud case
• Reps confirm Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff
• Finnish court fixes May 2025 for Simon Ekpa’s trial

In later years, Johnson expressed remorse for Doe’s murder and sought to reconcile with the late president’s family.

Despite being named by Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission as one of those responsible for war crimes—including killings and sexual violence—Johnson was never prosecuted.

After the war, he transitioned into politics, becoming a senator for Nimba County in 2006. Over the years, Johnson wielded considerable influence in Liberia’s presidential elections.

In 2011, he endorsed former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and in 2017, he supported George Weah in his victory over Joseph Boakai. By 2023, however, Johnson had switched allegiance back to Boakai, who defeated Weah in a run-off election.

 

Ex-Liberian warlord, Prince Johnson, dies at 72