Funeral of Liberian Warlord-Turned-Politician Prince Johnson Stirs Deep Divisions

The state funeral of Prince Johnson, notorious for civil war atrocities, highlights Liberia's struggle with justice and reconciliation.

Prince Johnson, a former warlord implicated in Liberia's civil war atrocities, died in November 2024 at age 72 and was buried after a five-day state funeral attended by thousands.
Johnson, infamous for overseeing the torture and killing of President Samuel Doe in 1990, was identified by Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the most egregious perpetrator of human rights violations during the civil wars.
Despite calls for accountability, Johnson never faced prosecution for crimes including massacres, forced recruitment, and sexual violence, instead becoming a senator and influential political figure.
The funeral drew both supporters hailing him as a defender of Nimba County and critics who viewed the celebration of his legacy as a painful reminder of Liberia's unresolved wartime atrocities.
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has signed an order to establish a war crimes court, but activists argue the lack of justice for figures like Johnson perpetuates a culture of impunity.