Ex-warlord to run in Liberia's president poll

[February 24, 2010]  MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) -- One of Liberia's most infamous warlords drank beer as he ordered his men to cut off an ousted president's ears 20 years ago. Now a senator, Prince Johnson says he plans to run for the presidency himself even though a government commission wants him tried for crimes against humanity.

Despite being widely known for the gruesome torture and slaying of Samuel K. Doe -- a videotape of the event was even sold on Monrovia's streets -- Johnson was overwhelmingly elected in 2005 to the Senate by his native Nimba county for a nine-year term.

In place of camouflage fatigues, Johnson now wears a business suit with a Liberian flag lapel pin. Johnson said in an interview with The Associated Press that he wants to serve in this West African nation's highest office to cement peace. A civil war that had ravaged the country, turned children into cold-blooded killers and was marked by cannibalism ended only seven years ago.

"We are seeking the presidency to properly address the security situation of this country. The Liberian peace process is still fragile because of insecurity. Armed robberies, etc., are giving our people sleepless nights," Johnson said, hammering a blow on his desk in his Senate office.

But human rights groups are concerned about Johnson's bid for the presidency in the 2011 elections because of his wartime past. Tania Bernath, a Liberia expert for Amnesty International, said Johnson's notorious history may have helped propel him to the Senate.

"There's still a lot of support because there's a lot of fear," she said. "Many may still believe if they don't vote for him, he may cause problems."

In the election, Johnson would face current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard-trained economist who has won respect from the international community since she became Africa's first democratically elected female president in 2005.

But the country's truth and reconciliation commission recommended last year that Johnson and dozens of others should be banned for 30 years from holding public office for their alleged roles in the war. Sirleaf was even on that list. She has acknowledged giving up to $10,000 while abroad to then rebel leader Charles Taylor's group, but says it was intended for humanitarian services.

The commission also recommended that Johnson, Taylor and six other former warlords be prosecuted for crimes against humanity in Liberia by a court that has yet to be set up. The commission can only recommend action and lacks authority to issue indictments.

Taylor is currently on trial in the Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the war in neighboring Sierra Leone.

Liberia's back-to-back civil wars began with the 1989 invasion by Taylor's rebels against the Doe government. Doe himself was no saint. The former army master sergeant came to power in a coup in 1981 in which President William Tolbert Jr. was assassinated. Ousted top officials were tied to stakes on the beach and summarily shot.

In 1990, Doe fell into the hands of Johnson's men, who tortured him as Johnson looked on and a camera rolled. In the AP interview, Johnson said he was sorry that violence was used and that civilians suffered during the conflict, but insisted there was no other way.

"Of course, we're sorry that we had to fight to remove a dictator," Johnson said. "When two elephants fight, the grass suffers," referring to the suffering of noncombatants.

But Johnson was involved in other acts during the country's back-to-back civil wars that lasted until 2003 and killed an estimated 250,000 people in this nation of 3 million. In 1990, Johnson allegedly executed a Liberian relief worker whom he accused of profiteering from rice sales. A photographer at the scene said the crumpled victim briefly lifted his head and asked "Why, why?" before Johnson finished him off.

Despite Johnson's wartime ruthlessness, he remains popular among many for overthrowing Doe and taking a stand against Taylor. Johnson trained in exile under Taylor but later broke away and formed his own group.

"Liberians are people that forgive. He's a Liberian and has the right to run," said Tokay Tomah-Karlie, a top local musician.

[Associated Press; By JONATHAN PAYE-LAYLEH]

Associated Press writer Carley Petesch in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

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