A former Liberian warlord and influential political figure, Prince Yormie Johnson, has died at the age of 72.
Johnson passed away early Thursday due to complications related to high blood pressure, according to family member Moses Ziah, who confirmed the news to Reuters.
“It is true that he died this morning,” he said.
A key figure in Liberia’s brutal civil war, Johnson gained international notoriety in 1990 for his involvement in the capture and execution of President Samuel K. Doe. As the leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front, Johnson was infamously captured on video celebrating with cans of Budweiser as his fighters tortured Doe, slicing off his ear before ultimately killing him.
Despite expressing regret for the murder and seeking reconciliation with Doe’s family in later years, Johnson never faced trial for his actions. Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended him for prosecution for war crimes, citing his faction’s involvement in widespread rapes and killings, but no legal action was taken.
After the war, Johnson transitioned into politics and became a significant power broker in Liberian governance. Representing Nimba County, he served as a senator from 2006 to 2024.
His political endorsements proved pivotal, including backing former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in 2011 and President George Weah during his 2017 election victory. However, in the 2023 election, Johnson shifted his allegiance to Joseph Boakai who defeated Weah in a run-off.
