Prince C. Johnson III

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Prince C. Johnson III
Minister of National Defense
In office
9 February 2024 – 12 February 2024[1]
PresidentJoseph Boakai
Preceded byDaniel Ziankahn
Succeeded byGeraldine George
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
In office
5 February 2018 – 5 February 2024
PresidentGeorge Weah
Joseph Boakai
Preceded byDaniel Ziankahn
Succeeded byDavidson Forleh
Personal details
Born (1976-07-12) 12 July 1976 (age 47)
Monrovia, Liberia
Alma materUnited Methodist University
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
ProfessionSoldier
Military service
Allegiance Liberia
Branch/serviceArmed Forces of Liberia
Years of service2007–2024
RankMajor general
CommandsArmed Forces of Liberia
23rd Infantry Brigade

Major General Prince Charles Johnson III (born 12 July 1976) is a retired Liberian military officer who served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces from 5 February 2018 to 5 February 2024.[2][3]

Early life and education

Johnson was born on July 12, 1976, in Monrovia.[4] Johnson hails from a Mano family.[5] Johnson's father, Lt. Gen. Prince C. Johnson II had served as Chief of Staff of the EMG Division of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia during the Civil War and as Commanding General of the AFL during the presidency of Charles Taylor.[5][6][7]

Johnson obtained a bachelor's degree in Accounting at the United Methodist University in 2004.[4] He received a postgraduate certificate from the University of Sierra Leone in public sector management in 2010, and graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2012. Johnson also completed officer courses in Sierra Leone, China, and Nigeria.[3]

Military career

Johnson completed the Officer Candidate School in 2007, after which he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. In the AFL he subsequently served as a number of positions, including Chief of Operations at the AFL HQ. He served as Military Assistant (MA) to the Minister of National Defense, Brownie J. Samukai Jr..[4]

On February 11, 2014 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promoted Johnson as Brigade Commander of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, becoming the first Liberian to hold the post of Brigade Commander in the AFL following the end of the Liberian Civil War.[5][8] As Brigade Commander, Johnson was third in command of the AFL.[5]

On December 9, 2016 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promoted Johnson to Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL with the rank of Brigadier General,[9] following the death of the incumbent Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Eric Dennis.[4]

In 2018, President George Weah appointed Johnson as the new Chief of Staff of the AFL, with the promotion to the rank of Major General.[10] The Senate of Liberia confirmed Johnson as new Chief of Staff on February 6, 2018.[11]

Defense minister

In early February 2024 Johnson retired from the AFL and was nominated as the Minister of Defense by the President Joseph Boakai,[12] he resigned from his post just a week after confirmation by the Liberian senate due to 3-day protest actions by wives of military officers accusing him of corruption.[13]

References

  1. ^ Liberia defence minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigns amid protests in barracks
  2. ^ Teh, Lewis S. (7 February 2024). Uphold the integrity of the army: Maj. Gen. Johnson cautions new Chief of Staff. The New Dawn Liberia.
  3. ^ a b CGSC inducts four officers into International Hall of Fame. Command and General Staff College Foundation. 15 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Daily Observer. Lt. Col Prince Johnson Named New AFL Deputy Chief of Staff
  5. ^ a b c d Al Jazeera. Too small to succeed? Liberia’s new army comes of age
  6. ^ Nicholai Hart Lidow (2011). Violent Order: Rebel Organization and Liberia's Civil War. Stanford University. p. 177. STANFORD:cd347ss0802.
  7. ISBN 978-1-61234-955-8
    .
  8. ^ Embassy of Liberia to the U.S.. 15/02/2014: At 57th Armed Forces Day Anniversary, Commander-in-Chief Sirleaf Commissions New Liberian Leadership; Urges Them to Lead by Example
  9. ^ eMansion. President Sirleaf Commissions Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia; Admits Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala of Nigeria into the Humane Order of African Redemption
  10. ^ The Inquirer. AFL Retires Gen. Ziankahn…New Chief Of Staff Says Challenges In Military Will Be Mitigated
  11. ^ Daily Observer. Defense Minister, Chief of Staff Receive Senate Blessings
  12. ^ Liberia: Boakai Picks Military Leaders. AllAfrica. 2 February 2024.
  13. ^ Liberia Defense Minister Resigns Days After Appointment. Voice of America. 12 February 2024.
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