afrol News, 1 February - A former Liberian civil warlord, Prince Johnson, who led a breakaway faction of the rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia [Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia], has set conditions for his appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), insisting that he would do so provided "those who instigated the 1980 coup d'etat and killed President William" appear.

Johnson, a current Senator of Nimba County, asked why "I should appear before the commission when no one has accused me yet of anything."

He also said he would testify if he is accused by a victim, but not the commission members, describing them as instigating problem in the country.

"If I fail to appear before the TRC whenever my name is called, then I will be putting my future and character at stake, but if my name is called, then I will have to appear to defend my character," Johnson said while reacting to the commission's statement that he will be subpoenaed to appear before it.

The commission wants him to explain to Liberians how President Samuel Doe was killed. Johnson could not understand why the healing commission has indicted him for the death of Doe after all he had reconciled with the Doe family.

He doubted why the TRC has failed to invite many people who came before him and killed President Tolbert.

"Why is it that the TRC is not inviting those people to explain their role in the death of President Tolbert and the execution of the 13 government officials who were all civilians?" he asked, saying the commission should start with Tolbert if it is interesting in knowing the circumstance surrounding the death of a sitting president.

TRC was establish to heal the wounds caused by Liberia's 14-year civil war.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories