A massive fire tore through Liberia’s parliament building in Monrovia on Wednesday, just a day after violent protests erupted over months of political deadlock. The blaze, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, was brought under control, and authorities have launched an investigation into its cause.
The fire followed demonstrations on Tuesday protesting the attempted ousting of House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa. The controversy has divided Liberia’s legislature, with Koffa accused by rivals of corruption and mismanaging public funds.
President Joseph Boakai visited the site on Wednesday, condemning what he described as wanton destruction in the country.
The regional bloc ECOWAS and the US embassy have called for calm and condemned the violence between police and protesters.
According to Gregory Coleman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, what began as a peaceful protest turned chaotic when demonstrators broke through barriers near the parliament building. Stones were hurled at officers, leading to the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd. Dozens of protesters were arrested.
The government denied the use of live ammunition, stating that only non-lethal force was used to control the unrest.
Videos shared on social media captured the flames engulfing the parliament building as firefighters worked to contain the damage. Fire trucks and water jets were deployed to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Authorities have yet to determine whether the fire was connected to the protests or was a separate incident.
