**The recent fire at Liberia’s Capitol building has triggered police investigations into leading legislators amidst ongoing political strife and protests.**
**Liberia's House Speaker Interrogated Following Capitol Blaze Amid Political Turmoil**
**Liberia's House Speaker Interrogated Following Capitol Blaze Amid Political Turmoil**
**A massive fire engulfs Liberia's legislature, prompting police questioning of Speaker Koffa and raising questions about protests and threats.**
The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Liberia, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been called in for questioning by police following a devastating fire that consumed the legislative chambers of the Capitol, located in the capital city of Monrovia. The fire, reported early Wednesday, produced thick plumes of smoke and flames, but it fortunately occurred when no lawmakers were inside the building.
Authorities have indicated that several individuals, including Speaker Koffa and fellow legislator Frank Saah Foko, are under scrutiny due to circumstances surrounding the event. Monrovia’s police chief, Gregory Colman, noted that among those questioned, Foko allegedly made incendiary remarks via social media, suggesting that if necessary, the chambers could be burned. The timing of the fire, just a day after protests regarding Koffa’s potential removal as Speaker, has intensified investigations amid allegations of political sabotage.
Eyewitness accounts describe the scene of the Capitol engulfed in flames, leading to immediate fears and speculation about the motivations behind the inferno. A $5,000 reward has been announced by the government for any information that may shed light on the incident, highlighting authorities' determination to uncover the truth amid escalating tensions.
The protests held prior to the fire were marked by turmoil, resulting in several arrests, including a prominent aide to former President George Weah. The political landscape in Liberia has been rife with conflict, as factions within the legislature grapple over leadership and governance issues. Disputes over Koffa’s legitimacy have emerged, with one faction claiming to have dismissed him, a claim that another group denounces as unconstitutional.
Frustration with the ongoing disarray has been voiced by President Joseph Boakai, who has called for agencies to prioritize a thorough investigation. Despite the gravity of the situation, neither Koffa nor Foko has made public statements addressing the police chief’s comments or the fire incident.
As investigations proceed, the embattled leadership in Liberia's House of Representatives finds itself navigating both internal divides and external scrutiny, raising broader questions about the nation's political stability and governance.
