A fire broke out Wednesday at Liberia’s parliament building in Monrovia, as the country entered its second day of anti-government protests. President Joseph Boakai condemned the incident as a “wanton act of destruction,” though authorities have yet to establish a direct connection between the fire and the demonstrations.
The protests, which began Tuesday, were sparked by the controversial removal of House Speaker Konati Koffa, a member of the opposition accused of corruption. Demonstrators are also demanding President Boakai’s resignation, escalating tensions in the West African nation.
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Police Chief Gragray Coleman stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation but did not rule out the possibility of arson. At least four individuals, including the ousted Speaker Koffa and Representative Frank Foko, have been questioned in connection with the incident. Notably, Foko had recently made inflammatory remarks, threatening to “burn down” the parliament chambers in a public interview.
Authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters on Tuesday, arresting dozens in the process. The demonstrations highlight deep political divisions, with months of gridlock in parliament preventing the passage of Liberia’s annual budget.
Under Liberian law, removing a speaker requires a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. Without it, political stalemates have hampered the government’s functionality, fueling public frustration.
As investigations into the fire continue, the government faces mounting pressure to address the growing unrest and restore stability.