With just 21 days remaining until Liberia’s General and Presidential Elections, Senator Prince Johnson, a prominent ally of former Vice President Joseph Boakai from the Unity Party, has voiced concerns regarding potential election interference by the ruling establishment and has even issued a threat of armed resistance on behalf of the people.
During a press conference held on Monday, Senator Johnson, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for ‘Pay for Play’ and corruption, highlighted the remarkable turnout witnessed during the launch of the Unity Party campaign as evidence of the people’s determination to remove President George Weah from office.
Senator Johnson stated, “Prior to the October elections, Liberians are uniting under the slogan ‘Don’t Try It’ – any attempt to subvert the will of the people will be met with the same resolve seen during the Arab Spring. Whether you choose to wield your weapon, take lives, or face your own demise, Liberians no longer harbor fear.”
The Arab Spring, also referred to as the First Arab Spring, marked a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that swept across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s. It originated in Tunisia as a response to widespread corruption and economic stagnation.
Senator Johnson’s statement resonates with Ambassador Boakai’s resolute commitment to preventing electoral fraud on October 10. Ambassador Boakai conveyed this pledge during the launch of his campaign on Sunday. He expressed his readiness to cooperate with international prosecutors to uncover and apprehend individuals promoting electoral violence and jeopardizing Liberia’s hard-won peace.
Furthermore, Ambassador Boakai found some reassurance in a recent statement made by the United States government, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the upcoming elections. He urged organizations such as ECOWAS, the United States, the European Union, the African Union, and the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) to actively engage in the process, preventing any threats that may undermine these elections by identifying and countering attempts to destabilize this crucial aspect of Liberian society.
Senator Johnson, who proudly identifies as the ‘godfather’ of the Unity Party, was once an ardent supporter of President George Weah until he faced sanctions imposed by the United States. His rationale for withdrawing his support was President Weah’s failure to fulfill promises to the people of Nimba, including granting them prominent positions within his government.
This shift in allegiance has raised questions about Senator Johnson’s support for Ambassador Boakai, especially considering that Boakai’s vice standard bearer belongs to Senator Johnson’s political party, the Movement for Democratic Reconstruction (MDR).
Nevertheless, Senator Johnson has publicly stated that a victory for Joseph Boakai would provide an opportunity for Nimba County to ascend to the Presidency. He believes that the 78-year-old standard bearer lacks the physical stamina to govern the country effectively and would therefore heavily rely on Senator Jeremiah Koung, his vice standard bearer, to manage state affairs.
During the civil war, Senator Johnson gained notoriety for executing individuals who opposed or criticized his actions. One harrowing incident involved the murder of Hladini devi dasi, born Linda Jury, and five of her students on the banks of the Saint Paul River on the night of Thursday, September 13, 1990, while they were Hare Krishna devotees distributing food to starving people in Monrovia amidst the chaos of the civil war.
On September 9, 1990, Senator Johnson’s supporters abducted President Samuel Doe from ECOMOG headquarters in the Monrovia port district. President Doe was subsequently tortured and executed in Senator Johnson’s custody on September 9, with the event recorded and broadcast globally. The video depicted Senator Johnson sipping a Budweiser beer while an assistant fanned him as his men severed President Doe’s ear.
Senator Johnson later denied any involvement in President Doe’s killing. Additionally, Ahmadou Kourouma, who depicted President Doe’s assassination in his novel “Allah Is Not Obliged,” accused Senator Johnson of war crimes, particularly the abduction and torture of several Firestone executives.
After President Doe’s death, Senator Johnson briefly laid claim to the presidency of Liberia. However, his bid for power was thwarted following the consolidation of rebel forces under Charles Taylor. In an effort to reconstruct Liberian politics, the International Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), led by Senator Johnson, gained recognition at a conference held in Guinea, where Amos Sawyer was elected president.