US Congressman Accuses ‘PYJ’

-Cites Reasons For War Crimes Tribunal

By Reuben Sei Waylaun

A Congressman in the United States of America has ‘singled’ out former ‘warlord’ of the defunct Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) and now Senator of Nimba County, Prince Yormie Johnson alias “PYJ” ‘despicable manhandling’ of slain President Samuel Doe as one of the reasons for the establishment of war crimes tribunal in Liberia.

Representative Daniel Donovan, Jr., of Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn in the 11th Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives has since submitted a resolution to the US Congress for the establishment of war crimes tribunal in Liberia.

Representative Donovan whose district has high concentrations of Liberians in the United States said he is aware of the atrocities that were committed in the country for fourteen years and it was now time for justice.

“For example, Senator Prince Y.  Johnson, a warlord who tortured and murdered former President Samuel Doe and there is a video of Senator Johnson despicably sitting on a pier and fanned by his assistants while his men manhandled Doe,” Representative Donovan said.

Representative Donovan’s resolution is calling for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendations, including the establishment of an extraordinary criminal tribunal for Liberia.

“My district in Brooklyn is home to thousands of Liberians who have fled the turbulent of civil war and they directly told me how important is it to them that Liberia establish extraordinary war crimes tribunal. Liberia itself recommended the establishment of a war crimes tribunal in its TRC,” he added.

According to him, his resolution seeks to affirm America’s strong ties with Liberia.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and in 2009, the final report of the TRC after hearing the testimonies of victims and alleged perpetrators of atrocities committed during the civil war was submitted to the Liberian Government during the then administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The US Congressman said “protecting human rights around the world is not only things to do, but it is vital to our own national security. Stopping war crimes before it happens is just as important. This is while I am proud to sponsor HR 1055 to form firm United States-Liberia tie in the support for strong democratic principle for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations including the establishment of an extraordinary criminal tribunal for Liberia.”

“Liberians are rightfully calling for justice and if not, I see there will be further violence and turbulent which no one wants to see. This is while it is so crucial to call on Liberia and President Weah to establish a war crimes tribunal,” he added.