LIBERIA: Prince Johnson says he will seek to negotiate key government posts and have a say in how to manage mining revenues

Record ID: 1531911

  • Title: LIBERIA: Prince Johnson says he will seek to negotiate key government posts and have a say in how to manage mining revenues
  • Date: 15th October 2011
  • Summary: PORTRAIT OF PRINCE JOHNSON'S MENTOR PROPHET T. B. JOSHUA ON WALL
  • Embargoed: 30th October 2011 00:25
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Liberia
  • Country: Liberia
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA29IHHNQY1MJJNSVCSR1U9SO04
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Former rebel leader Prince Johnson, who was filmed watching his fighters torture former President Samuel Doe during Liberia's civil war, is on course to become a kingmaker in its election and says he plans to cash in on that role.
    The prospect of a former fighter deciding the outcome of the election could prove unpalatable for international partners, who are eager to see Liberia close the book on a 14-year conflict that killed nearly 250,000 people and ruined its infrastructure.
    "You can't be the king maker and then you don't have a part to play. You have to be a part of the government in a strategic area in order to help dictate the system where it should go," Johnson said in an interview in the shade of a gazebo on his compound in the capital Monrovia on Friday (October 14).
    Now a senator in Liberia's northern, minerals-rich Nimba County, the second most populous in the West African state, Johnson has captured nearly 14 percent of the ballots counted so far in an Oct. 11 vote.
    That puts him in third place behind incumbent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf with 44.5 percent and her main rival Winston Tubman with 26.5 percent. Unless a candidate wins an outright majority, there will be a run-off in early November -- and an endorsement from Johnson could mean victory.
    Nimba County hosts world-class reserves of iron ore, gold and diamonds that are reopening to investors after being sealed off for decades by the bloodshed. Companies like ArcelorMittal and BHP Billiton are already active in the area.
    Johnson complained that Liberia's resources had been poorly managed for a century and said he would use his position as kingmaker to negotiate for a restructuring of resource revenue management in which counties would retain 40 percent of state proceeds from mining and agriculture production.
    "I've been provoked by the poor condition living condition of our people. People living impoverished lives under abject poverty in the phase of the natural rich resources that has been mismanaged over a century and plus by leaders," he said.
    Johnson, wearing a traditional red cap and gown, said he had not made a decision on whether to support Sirleaf or Tubman, and would consult his constituents before choosing.
    But he added that decision would involve heavy negotiations with the run-off rivals.
    "In time past, ruling party will always put their people to be in charge of those areas that generate much revenues, much money, finance, maritime, lands and mines, you know they - the Commerce Ministry - they always want to take that to empower their own people," he said.
    Analysts have said that Johnson, a former member of Sirleaf's ruling UP party, is most likely to side with the incumbent because her international profile could help him to consolidate a legacy as a revolutionary-turned-politician.
    Sirleaf, a former World Bank economist who has earned international plaudits for maintaining stability and reducing debt in Liberia since becoming Africa's first freely elected female head of state in 2005, was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week.
    Johnson said that while he was not close to anyone in particular he would work with anybody that was nationalistic and patriotic if made kingmaker.
    "We will make sure that our representatives and their representatives meet and come up with discussions that will lead to inclusive government," he said.
    Johnson said any foreign concerns over him emerging from the polls with significant power were unfounded and due to misunderstandings over his legacy.
    "When people talk about war lords, I always ask journalists, what is the meaning of war lord? What is the meaning of war lord? Because you fought in defence, you fought for liberation, can we say all the Americans that fought in the civil war or that fought for their freedom are war lords?" he said.
    Johnson said the wind of change was blowing in Liberia and that people demanded positive progress, urging for a change in any systems that repress it.
    When asked about a widely circulated video showing Johnson sipping beer while watching his fighters mutilate Doe after his capture, Johnson said the clip was "unfortunate." Insisting he was a changed person and a humanitarian who worked for his people.
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