By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Liberia’s once-powerful warlords are rapidly fading from the scene, raising questions about justice, accountability, and the passage of time.
The latest to face a health crisis is Joshua Milton Blahyi, better known as “General Butt Naked,” who is reportedly in critical condition at the Kidney Solutions hospital in Kenya. His family has called for prayers as his condition worsens. Blahyi, infamous for his brutal past as a warlord before his transformation into an evangelical preacher, had sought initial treatment at JFK Medical Center in Monrovia before being transferred abroad.
His decline follows the recent, unexpected death of former warlord-turned-senator Prince Y. Johnson, who passed away at Women of Hope Hospital. Johnson, a key figure in Liberia’s civil war, was notorious for his role in the execution of President Samuel Doe. His death, just as momentum builds for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), has fueled speculation about whether these events are coincidental or part of a larger pattern.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Sekou Damate Konneh, former leader of the Liberia United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), is also incapacitated. Konneh led one of the rebel groups responsible for widespread violence during Liberia’s second civil war.
The failing health of these figures has sparked debate. Are they merely facing the inevitable consequences of age and past injuries, or is there a deliberate effort to ensure they never stand trial? As President Joseph N. Boakai’s administration moves forward with plans for the WECC, the disappearance of key figures before justice can be served has left many questioning whether history is being erased before the truth is fully uncovered.
Public reactions remain divided—some see their declines as a natural course of life, while others suspect a more calculated effort to evade justice. With the WECC potentially bringing long-awaited accountability, the question remains: will Liberia confront its war-torn past, or will the key players vanish before they can answer for their actions?
