• NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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"You Can't Look Back"

Liberian warlord-turned-senator Prince Johnson speaks out about the war crimes charges against him and his plans for the future.

BY GLENNA GORDON | JULY 7, 2009

Johnson wrote a book called The Rise and Fall of President Samuel K. Doe, which he says sold a million copies. In 1990, Doe -- then Liberia's president -- was tortured and executed. A videotape of the ordeal was distributed to news stations around the world. It showed Johnson sitting at a table and sipping a beer while Doe's ear was being cut off. Johnson says he has no regrets over what happened to Doe:

The problem with Doe was that he listened to advice that led to his attack on Nimba, and that's why we had to fight back. He was in our custody, so we are responsible for whatever happened. He was with us, that's all I say.

If you want to move forward, you can't look back. Jesus never looked back. He never looked back. We need to look forward. When you look back, you look left, you look right, you get distracted. You need to focus on what you want done for this country.

I sleep sound; I sleep good. I snore.

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Photo by Glenna Gordon

 

Glenna Gordon is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Liberia.

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