civil war

Liberia: Prince Johnson and George Boley, former warlords who remain powerful in politics

By Dounard Bondo

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Posted on July 20, 2021 00:02

© Liberian former warlord and head of the National Union for Democratic Progress Prince Johnson withdraws support for President George Weah. REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon
Liberian former warlord and head of the National Union for Democratic Progress Prince Johnson withdraws support for President George Weah. REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon

In Liberia, calls for a court to try war and economics crimes are getting louder. The Liberian senate is hearing expert opinions on its proposed report and recommendations on war crimes committed during the country’s two civil wars, which spanned 14 years. Prince Johnson and George Boley, two former warlords in particular – now members of the senate and house of representatives – are in the spotlight.

Despite supporting the establishment of a war and economic crimes court before attaining power, President George Weah has passed the responsibility for the decision for the establishment of a court on the legislature. This has put the spotlight on a legislature that includes members of parliament (MPs) that are former warlords.

Prince Johnson and George Boley, who were former leaders of major warring factions, are in the senate and house of representatives, respectively. In its final report, Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recommended in 2010 that both men be persecuted and barred from running for office for 30 years.

READ MORE Liberia: 18 years later and still waiting for a war crimes court

The report targeted Johnson Sirleaf herself for a ban from public office, and her government chose to not implement the TRC report.

The Prince, ‘the kingmaker’

Prince Johnson, who has been a senator since

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