MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives held a Special Sitting at Monrovia City Hall on First Street, Sinkor, Monrovia, on Friday, December 20, 2024. This session followed a fire that on the morning of Wednesday, December 18, severely damaged the main chambers of the Capitol Building where the bloc convenes. The cause of the blaze, which has left the home of the Legislature in ruins, remains unclear but comes amid swelling political tensions.
The fire occurred a day after a heated protest led by Janjay Baikpah, organized by a group called Concerned Citizens for the Protection of the Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, against the removal of the Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa on Tuesday, December 17, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including Sekou Kalasco Damaro, a former aide to ex-President George Weah. The incident has further polarized the political landscape, prompting urgent responses from both lawmakers and the executive branch.
President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung visited the scene to assess the damage and address concerns about the nation’s stability. Condemning the fire as an act of “banditry and gangsterism,” President Boakai expressed outrage over the destruction. “This quantum destruction will not be tolerated. We are a poor country, and while some people are working to help us, others are bent on destroying what we have. If you have grievances, there are legal avenues to address them,” Boakai emphasized.
The President called for a full-scale investigation, tasking Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, security agencies, and international partners with uncovering the truth. He vowed that the perpetrators would be held accountable. “This is not a place for hooligans. This is a place for responsible people serving the Liberian people,” Boakai declared.
