Liberia's Legislative Speaker Under Police Scrutiny Following Capitol Fire

The Speaker of Liberia's House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, faces police questioning following a devastating fire at the Capitol building, as demonstrations calling for his removal escalate.

The Speaker of Liberia's House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been summoned for questioning by police following a catastrophic fire that engulfed the Capitol building in Monrovia. Residents awoke to find thick black smoke billowing and flames consuming the legislature's joint chambers early Wednesday morning. Thankfully, no personnel were present at the time of the incident.

In a troubling development, four individuals, including Speaker Koffa and Representative Frank Saah Foko, have been interviewed by authorities. The fire coincides with increasing tensions surrounding Koffa's leadership, especially after protests erupted the day before, aimed at ousting him from his position. Reports state that several protesters, including an aide to former President George Weah, were apprehended during these demonstrations.

Representative Foko, a significant voice in the House, is under scrutiny for a Facebook post where he allegedly threatened to "burn the chambers" if necessary. Police Chief Gregory Colman remarked on the disturbing timing of Foko's threat, stating it requires clarification after the chambers were indeed set ablaze. Koffa is also expected to account for a social media post made amidst the protests, although neither has publicly responded to these allegations thus far.

In response to the fire, the government has made a call for information, offering a reward of $5,000 (approx. £3,900) for leads that could assist the investigation. President Joseph Boakai expressed dissatisfaction over the situation, demanding a thorough inquiry by security agencies. The tension within Liberia's House of Representatives has been exacerbated by an ongoing power struggle, with factions claiming conflicting rights to Koffa’s leadership role. Attempts to resolve these disputes through a Supreme Court ruling have thus far fallen short.

This incident marks a critical moment for Liberian politics, further complicated by a legacy of governance challenges dating back to the nation's civil war.