Johnson, ‘Prince’ Yormie (1959– )

Liberian military veteran and rebel leader. Initially allied with Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia, he broke away in 1990 and formed his own organization, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), which helped to overthrow president Samuel Doe in summer 1990. His soldiers tortured and executed Doe, and Johnson briefly became the country's ruler, before Taylor gained the upper hand and he was forced into exile in Nigeria. Johnson returned in 2004 and was elected a senator in 2005.

Born in Nimba county, in Liberia's interior, he was educated at the Army Officers' School, Monrovia, and at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, USA. He joined the army in 1971 and was commander of the Liberian military police 1976–77.