Fire Ravages Liberia’s Capitol Building Amid Political Turmoil

Residents of Monrovia were startled Wednesday morning by thick plumes of black smoke and flames billowing from the Capitol building. The fire, which engulfed the entire joint chambers of the legislature, occurred when the building was empty, and fortunately, no one was inside at the time.

In the aftermath, four individuals, including Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and Representative Frank Saah Foko, have been taken into custody for questioning. Liberia’s police chief, Gregory Colman, confirmed the development. The fire struck just one day after a protest demanding Koffa’s removal from his position as Speaker, a protest that turned tense.

The previous day’s demonstration saw multiple arrests, including that of an aide to former President George Weah. Representative Foko, a well-known member of the House of Representatives, had allegedly posted a video on Facebook stating, “If they want us to burn the chambers, we will burn it,” leading to further suspicion surrounding his involvement.

In response to the incident, the Liberian government has announced a $5,000 reward for any information that could help identify those responsible for the blaze. President Joseph Boakai has expressed his disappointment over the destruction and has ordered a thorough investigation by security agencies.

The fire comes amid a growing power struggle within Liberia’s House of Representatives, with a faction of lawmakers asserting that Speaker Koffa has already been ousted and replaced. The situation remains tense as the investigation continues.