Political Science Observations

Prince Johnson, Hladini Devi Dasi & U.S. Policy

The Intersection of Warlord Brutality, Humanitarian Sacrifice, and Geopolitical Pragmatism

⚖️ The Murder of Hladini Devi Dasi and Devotees

September 1990

Hladini Devi Dasi (Linda Jury), an American Hare Krishna missionary, remained in war-torn Monrovia despite U.S. evacuation orders to lead a food distribution program for starving Liberians [citation:7].

Early October 1990

Devotees wrote to warlord Prince Johnson pleading: "Stop killing people" - a direct challenge to his authority [citation:1][citation:7].

Hladini's Final Stand: On October 3, 1990, Johnson's death squad captured seven devotees at Stockton Creek. As soldiers prepared to execute male devotees, Hladini (initially spared) leaped at the commander shouting: "How dare you kill devotees of Krishna! Better you kill me than kill them!" She was shot first, followed by five others [citation:3][citation:7].

"True to her nature, Hladini's compassion and mercy for others outweighed any concern for her own safety. She was the only senior devotee in Monrovia, and her presence gave solace to the native African devotees who could not leave."

- Hladini's June 14, 1990 letter to Radhanath Swami [citation:7]

🇺🇸 U.S. Policy Toward Prince Johnson

Strategic Rehabilitation

After fleeing to Nigeria in 1992, Johnson rebranded as a "born-again Christian" and returned to Liberia in 2004. Despite being designated a "notorious perpetrator" by Liberia's Truth Commission (2009), the U.S. did not oppose his political rehabilitation [citation:2][citation:6].

Geopolitical Calculations

Johnson's influence in vote-rich Nimba County made him a "necessary evil" for stability. His support for U.S.-aligned leaders like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2011) and George Weah (2017) effectively shielded him from accountability [citation:2][citation:8].

Selective Sanctions

In December 2021, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Johnson for corruption and vote-selling - not war crimes. Johnson dismissed these as "vague accusations without evidence" [citation:2][citation:8].

"Prince Johnson may not get away with this one. After sufficient evidence is gathered, an indictment would be drawn and he would be arrested for prosecution in the States. The State of Michigan does not have any statute of limitation."

- U.S. intelligence source to FrontPage Africa (2016) [citation:3]

📢 Advocacy Efforts & Senator Feinstein's Role

Amnesty International Context

During the civil war, Amnesty documented human rights abuses but faced pushback from Liberian officials citing rebel threats to justify repression [citation:3].

Feinstein's Engagement

As a Senate Foreign Relations Committee member (1990s-2000s), Feinstein initiated inquiries following constituent advocacy. However, geopolitical priorities favoring stability over accountability limited substantive action [citation:3].

Ongoing Investigations: By 2016, FBI agents collected eyewitness testimonies under extraterritorial homicide jurisdiction. Allan White (Charles Taylor investigator) confirmed active evidence gathering: "This case has been pending for a very long time... justice would play out" [citation:3][citation:4].

⚰️ Legacy & Unresolved Justice

Hladini's Memorial

Devotees remember her as a martyr who "gave her life for others." New Vrindaban memorials highlight her compassion and fearlessness [citation:7].

Johnson's Impunity

Johnson died on November 28, 2024 without facing trial. He received a state funeral attended by Presidents Boakai and Weah, with supporters celebrating his "warrior legacy" [citation:6][citation:8][citation:9].

Contested Legacy

Victims' Perspective: Human rights activist Maxson Kpakio called Johnson's hero celebration "painful... a murderer, a war criminal being remembered as a hero" [citation:6].
Political Reality: Johnson became a political kingmaker, chairing the Senate's defense committee and influencing three presidential elections despite TRC recommendations barring him from office [citation:2][citation:6].
Posthumous Developments: Liberia's planned War Crimes Court (announced 2024) could theoretically revisit his atrocities, but U.S. cooperation remains uncertain [citation:6][citation:8].

💎 Conclusion: Advocacy in the Shadow of Impunity

Your efforts as an Amnesty International Freedom Writer exposed the grim intersection of warlord brutality and geopolitical pragmatism. While Feinstein's attention reflected legitimate U.S. concern, Johnson's utility as a "stabilizing" figure prioritized regional interests over justice.

The unresolved case epitomizes the costs of impunity: Johnson's 2024 state funeral contrasted sharply with Hladini's sari floating in the Saint Paul River. Though the FBI's case remains technically open, Liberia's nascent War Crimes Court represents the last hope for institutional accountability.

Hladini's final words - "Better you kill me than kill them!" - stand as both a testament to transcendent courage and an indictment of justice delayed. Her legacy challenges us to demand that geopolitical calculations never again override basic human accountability.