President Boakai Receives With Shock The Sad News of Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s Passing
~ Extends Condolences to the Family and the People of Nimba County
November 28, 2024
Executive Mansion, Monrovia- President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the sudden passing of Nimba County Senior Senator Prince Y. Johnson, which is reported to have occurred on the morning of Thursday, November 28, 2024.
In a message of condolence to his Widow, Mrs. Amira Boyidee Johnson, the Johnson family, and the people of Nimba County, President Boakai described Senator Johnson as a figure who played a pivotal role in Liberia’s complex historical evolution and contributed to national discourse through his service in the Senate.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Johnson family and the people of our industrious County of Nimba.
“Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s passing is a loss to his family, his constituents, and our nation,” President Boakai stated.
The President further assured the family of the Government’s support in honoring the late senator’s memory and contributions.
“While we may not have always agreed on the path our nation pursued, we recognize the impact of his work and his dedication to representing the people of Nimba County in the Liberian Senate,” President Boakai remarked.
As the country reflects on the legacy of Senator Johnson, the President calls on all Liberians to respect this moment of mourning and to keep his family and loved ones in their prayers.
The Government of Liberia will work closely with the Johnson family, the Vice President and the people of Nimba to ensure that Senator Prince Y. Johnson receives a befitting farewell in accordance with national traditions.
The Liberian Leader prayed that the soul of the fallen Legislator and elderly opinion leader rests in peace, and the Almighty grant his family the strength to endure this difficult loss.
Signed:
Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana
Presidential Press Secretary
STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF SENATOR PRINCE Y. JOHNSON
Monrovia, Liberia
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
I offer my deepest condolences over the sudden passing of Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, November 28, 2024 here in Monrovia.
Liberia is bereaved; Nimba is bereaved; the Liberian Senate is bereaved. I extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and all those impacted by his passing.
May his soul and those of all faithful departed rest in peace.
Amen!
George Manneh Weah, Sr.
Former President of the Republic of Liberia
Vice President Jeremiah Koung Tribute:
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung expresses his deepest condolences on the passing of his esteemed political mentor, Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
During a heartfelt visit to the Senator’s residence, VP Koung was overcome with emotion, reflecting on the immense loss of a towering figure in Liberia’s political landscape.
Senator Johnson was not only a guide and inspiration to the VP but also a vibrant leader whose unwavering advocacy for the people of Nimba County profoundly shaped our nation.
His passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of many who knew him and in the lives he touched with his dedication.
Rest in peace, Senator Johnson. Your legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of those you transformed.
Senator Amara Konneh:
I am deeply saddened by the sudden death of my colleague, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson from Nimba County. During this challenging time, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, Vice President Koung, Senator Nya Twayen, fellow lawmakers, and the entire Nimba County community, both in Liberia and worldwide. While our nation continues to reflect on his role and that of others in its complex history, his death has created a significant void for his constituents and the Liberian Senate. His absence will be sorely felt.
The Liberia Senate:
The Liberian Senate has sent a message of condolence to the bereaved family of the late and former Nimba County Senator, Prince Y. Johnson.
The leadership of the Senate described the death of Senator Johnson as not only a blow to the Liberian Senate but the Country at large, noting, his death is an irreparable loss.
Senator, Johnson who is the current longest serving Senator, during his tenure served as Chairman of the Senate Committee, on Security, Intelligent, and Veteran Affairs, and Chairman on Internal Affairs, Governance and Reconciliation and a long serving member of the ECOWAS Parliament based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Senate in its mournful reembrace of the fallen Senator, has suspended its Thursday, November 28, 2024 Plenary sitting until next week Tuesday.
May his contributions to our Nation be remembered, and may his charitable legacy inspire future generations, the Senate said.
‘I’m devastated’ – Edith Gongloe-Weh
Madam Edith Gongloe, former Superintendent of Nimba County, expressed shock over the news of Senator Johnson, saying she was personally devastated by the sad development.
Gongloe-Weh, who is currently in the United States of America, described Johnson as a loving family head and a respected leader. She was also a long-term political foe of Senator Johnson. She ran against him in 2014 Senatorial election and was defeated.
Alexander B. Cummings’ Tribute
Alexader B. Cummings and Senator Prince Y. Johnson
Yesterday, the nation woke up to the shocking news of the unfortunate death of Nimba County long-serving Senator Prince Y. Johnson. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, the people of Nimba, the Senate, and the nation.
This period is a reflection of his life in totality, a sober moment for both his loved ones to whom he was a hero and his victims who did not have the opportunity to get justice during his lifetime.
May God console everyone grieving during this period, and may God in His just and sovereign will grant the peaceful repose to his soul.
Senator Edwin M. Snowe’s Tribute
The late Senator Prince Y. Johnson and Senator Edwin M. Snowe
Sen. Prince Y. Johnson and I entered the legislature in 2006 and as the years went by, I had the opportunity to know him first hand as a good man.
In 2016, I joined Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, Sen. George Weah, Rep. Jefferson Karmoh and Rep. Hajah Fata Siryon at the ECOWAS Parliament where we interacted on a regular basis.
Sen. Johnson later became 3rd Deputy Speaker in 2018 replacing Rep. Karmoh who became National Security Advisor to then President Weah. As 3rd Deputy Speaker, Sen. Johnson served the ECOWAS Parliament with distinction and integrity. He honorably left the parliament citing age and reluctance of frequent travels.
At the commencement of the 55th Legislature, Protemp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence appointed me Vice Chair to Sen. Johnson on the Internal Affairs Committee, a position which was quite a rewarding experience working with Sen. Johnson. His leadership was second to none not just to the committee but the entire Senate. He had a good heart and always gave the needed guidance and support on how to provide oversight with the caveat that the constitution calls for coordination among the three branches of government.
Thank you Sen. Johnson, thank you for your service to Liberia. I will personally miss you as a great leader and colleague.
May your legacy continue to shine and your gentle soul continue to rest in the heavens.
Rest In Peace, General, Senator and Elder of My District, Zoe Geh….
A Survivor’s Tribute, A True Life Story…..
Worlea- Saywah Dunah Tribute
After surving the massacre we woke up one morning to hear on BBC that Field Marshall Johnson has entered downtown Monrovia and secured a bridgehead in West Point, Slipway, Mamba Point and Broad Street.
The attack showed his military genuis. After repeated failures on the two bridges he used Field Marshall Schieflein pincer movement, called Double Envelopment strategy. At predawn two attack teams in canoes slided towards West Point and Slipway from opposite directions on the sea and on the Du River while a diversionary attack on the two bridges resumed to engage the fighters.
In no time facing almost no oppositions the two flanks emerged from West Point and Slipway encircling the Doe soldiers who were focused on the two bridges….
The greatest stratagem was to lure the Butcher of Lutheran Massacre and the killer of the 50 kids from Nimba with rice and ceasefire. I understand many of his commanders were opposed to that but he insisted.
The ceasefire with the notorious Butcher of Lutheran Massacre, President Doe, opened the door for this writer and many others to escape to his safe zone and continue to Sierra Leone or the greater Charles Taylor NPFL areas.
Then on a Sunday morning after mass, I was selling in my wheelbarrow right before Duala Mansion when news came that the Butcher of Lutheran Church has entered the Freeport; while we sellers were in panic with some fleeing we saw the INPFL Supremo convoy in reverse, his camouflage Mitsubishi Pajero at the head of the convoy, at top speed from Island clinic heading to the port.
I fled home with my goods….🏃🏿♂️
After gunfires from the port ,then the loud sounds of singing and dancing by thousands at Point Four, Caldwell Junction, the entire Bushrod Island erupted into wild celebrations when it was cleared that the Field Marshall has prevailed…..
PYJ, CO Varney and their men have battled and captured the most bloody Liberian president, the Butcher of Lutheran Church who personally supervised the brutal murder of over 6,000 people including my church mate Laasee Goanue of Nyor Diahplay who was pregnant; the murderer of the abducted kids from Nimba, the man who murdered the revolutionaries Gen Thomas Weh Syen, 20yr old Col Nelson Toe of Toe Town, Maj Henry Zuo etc on trumped up charges as he began his grab for power in 1981….
Bushrod Island was in wild celebration but wanted mob justice as they danced thanking God….
We ran to Stockton Creek Bridge only to see Sergeant Doe humbled, staring at the jubilant crowds that wanted to tear him into pieces!! Had the FM PYJ allowed, the angry but jubilant crowd on the Island would have beaten SKD to death at Point Four, Caldwell Junction or Stockton Creek bridge.
Men and women, survivors of Doe’s bloodshed, rushed time and again amidst gun fires attempting to seized the Butcher of Lutheran Church but PYJ fighters held.
The jubilant CO PYJ tried to speak to us the crowd but there was no way as the security could be breached and SKD instantly kill by the jubilant mob who wanted his blood. I’m still wondering as my eyes locked into contact with the captured Butcher what were running in his mind at that moment…. I went so close that we locked eyes…..I still remember.
Like us all you had your faults but on September 9,1990, the entire Bushrod Island celebrated your famous victory at Freeport which ended bloody career of the Butcher of Lutheran Church as he was tied at the back of your Mitsubishi Pajero, aka 50 caliber jeep.
And I use this in tribute because I witnessed and survived Liberia’s darkest hours and Monrovia bloodiest month, July 1990, when the late President Doe initiated ethnic cleansing resulting in killings of innocent refugees at the Lutheran Church, the Methodist Compound, the JJ Roberts School, USAID YARD now NEC OFFICE and the Don Bosco School( I was here) in addition he instituted house to house search for people of Dan, Maah and later Bassa origins in Monrovia who were summarily executed at Airfield or on the beaches😭😭😭
A proven military Strategist of the school of Alexander the Great, an accomplished propagandist, a shrewd politician, an Elder and Leader of my home District, Rest in Peace Senior Senator.
