It was a rude awakening for the Liberian government as the Capitol Building, the seat of the Legislature, was engulfed in flames. The fire completely destroyed the William R. Tolbert Joint Chamber, which is used by the Legislature.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The Liberia National Fire Service and the Ministry of Justice have yet to establish the cause of the fire. However, during a brief visit to the Legislature, President Joseph Boakai strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a serious threat to Liberia’s democracy and vowing that those responsible would be held accountable.
He stated: “We are not going to tolerate this anymore. We are a poor country, and while people are trying to help us, others are bent on destroying it. If you have a problem, we have the rule of law – but we are not going to accept this. We are asking the Ministry of Justice and all security apparatus, including our international friends, to investigate this thoroughly. Those caught will be dealt with, and we will set a tone for others who think they can burn down police stations and other places when they get angry. This is not a place for hooligans; it is a place for responsible people who are here to serve their country.”
The latest fire incident at the Capitol Building marks the second time in less than two weeks that the building has been affected by fire-related incidents.
Last week, the building was engulfed in thick smoke. Firefighters attributed the smoke to an electrical fault in the panel boxes. Although there was no actual fire, staffers were forced to evacuate after the smoke was detected in the section of the building housing the offices of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Representative Richard Koon, the self-declared Speaker of the Majority Bloc.
The Capitol Building has been at the center of political drama in recent months due to a leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. The joint chamber has played a key role in this crisis, with the Majority Bloc faction using it to conduct sessions. In the wake of the fire incident, some have accused the pro-Koffa group of being responsible.
The Capitol Building Built in the 1950s, the dome of the Capitol has not undergone significant repairs. For the past 15 years, the roof of the dome has leaked profusely. FrontPage Africa gathered that last year (fiscal year 2023), over $1.3 million was allocated for the repairs and renovations of the rotunda.
Speaker Koffa, weighing in on the issue, described it as unfortunate.
“It is a very unfortunate and horrible occurrence. We are very thankful that no life was lost. We look forward to the investigation. I think there is limited capacity. The contractors wanted to begin the renovation. Additionally, there is a contractor assessment report that talks about the various risks of that side of the building. So, I can rule that out and I can’t rule anything in. I am not a fire investigator, and I am not prepared at this point to speculate on what happened.”
More reactions
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence said justice must be served in the incident without fear or favor.
She commended fire fighters for their efforts applied to quench the fire from spreading to offices and other parts of the building.
“On behalf of the Liberian Senate, I extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated team of firefighters who bravely responded to the fire outbreak at the Capitol Building’s rotunda. Your swift and courageous actions in the face of danger prevented the spread of the fire to other parts of the building and safeguarded the lives of those present.”
“The fire incident MUST be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause, and where applicable, justice must be served without fear or favor.”
According to her, the fire fighters exhibited a high level of professionalism and teamwork to prevent the fire from being a wide-cat one.
“To the Brave Firefighters and first responders from the Liberia National Fire Service, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Sethi brothers, and the Liberia Water Sewer Cooperation, we say thank you. Your professionalism and teamwork during this critical incident exemplify the highest standards of service and commitment to our country. “
Pro Tempore Lawrence maintained that the vital role played by the “first responders” in responding to fire outbreaks and other incidents to ensure the safety and security of Liberians must be recognized.
“We are immensely proud and grateful for your service to our country.”
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County called for the “rigor of the law to be served” on the alleged perpetrators (if there is any).
“We demand an immediate and thorough investigation into the unfortunate fire incident at the Capitol Building to determine the cause, and where applicable, to ensure that the rigor of the law be served upon any and all perpetrators of this act without fear or favor.”
He commended the roles played by firefighters from the Liberia National Fire Service, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation, Sethi Brothers, and all servicemen of our national security institutions to stop the incident from escalating.
He emphasized that the fire incident at the Capitol Building would have been even worse had they not swiftly intervened.
“We appreciate the media for alerting of the fire situation that called our immediate attention into action.”
For his part, Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill called for the ongoing investigation into the incident to be impartial.
“The fire incident at the Capitol Building rotunda demands a thorough investigation to uncover its cause, and justice must be served impartially where necessary.”
The latest fire incident at the Capitol Building, prompted a shift in the funeral activities of fallen Liberian Vice President and Senator John D. Gray.
A silent wake keeping over his remains which was scheduled to take place at the rotunda of the Capitol Building has been cancelled and scheduled to take place at the headquarters of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) as a result of the fire incident.
The fire incident comes in the wake of a peaceful protest staged at the Capitol Building by a group of Liberians under the banner March to the Capitol on Tuesday.
The group was protesting to call the attention of government and international partners to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and the constitution respected in the ongoing leadership crisis at the House of Representatives.
However, the protest turned violent when police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. Several protesters were injured and many arrested including Sekou Kalasco Demaro, an aide of former President George Weah who are still in detention.
More condemnations
The two fire incidents at the Capitol Building comes in the wake of the controversial interpretation of the Supreme Court’s initial ruling on the impasse at the House of Representatives by Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, the commencement of legislative actions on the draft national budget for Fiscal Year 2025 by the Majority Bloc and the decision taken by the Liberian Senate to do business with the Majority Bloc and Representative Richard Koon as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Liberian Council of Churches (LCC), through its President Samuel Reeves has condemned the incident at the Capitol Building and called for an investigation.
In a statement issued shortly after the latest fire incident, Rev. Reeves, said if arson is confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable.
In response to the Capitol Hill crisis, the LCC said it has facilitated dialogue between the opposing parties, including a meeting at Providence Baptist Church, where both sides pledged to respect the rule of law.
“Despite this, the LCC is deeply concerned by their continued disregard for Supreme Court rulings,” the LCC said in a statement.
The LCC added that given the ambiguity of the Supreme Court’s recent decision, it has formally requested clarification to guide its position on the matter, stating that upholding the rule of law is paramount to maintaining peace and stability.
The LCC has urged Liberians to remain calm and peaceful, allowing the legal process to prevail and protect Liberia’s fragile democracy.
The United States Embassy in Liberia has condemned the violence that erupted on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, urging all parties to remain calm and embrace dialogue to resolve the ongoing impasse.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Embassy reaffirmed the fundamental right of citizens to express their views peacefully while condemning acts of violence.
“Citizens have a right to express their views peacefully, and violence is never the answer. Political differences should be resolved through an open political process,” the Embassy stated.
Also, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed deep concern over the escalating tension in Monrovia, condemning the violent clashes between police and protesters on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ECOWAS called for restraint from all parties, including protesters and the Liberia National Police, urging them to exercise their rights and mandates peacefully and responsibly.
“ECOWAS calls on all Liberian protesters and the Liberia National Police to exercise restraint in the pursuit of their rights and mandate respectively,” the statement read.
History of the Capitol Building
The Capitol Building was originally constructed and dedicated in 1956 during the tenure of William R. Tolbert, Jr. as vice president of Liberia and president of the Senate, while Richard A. Henries was Speaker of the House. Edwin Morgan served as president pro-tempore of the Senate.
In 2018, former Liberian President George Weah dedicated two newly constructed annexes of the Capitol Building. It was one of the developmental projects he inherited from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government.
The construction of the additional annexes was undertaken by the People’s Republic of China as a gift to the people and government of Liberia, amid the lack of adequate office spaces for lawmakers and their staff. The project cost US$12.9 million.
The two new annexes contained 40 offices on the wing of the House of Representatives and 20 offices for the Senate. The annexes also include an additional chamber for the House and the Senate, in addition to a joint chamber and offices for staff of the legislature.
The old building has experienced a series of attacks ranging from burglaries, theft leakages amongst others. Since the construction of the Capitol Building, the dome has not been repaired.
For the past 15 years, the roof of the dome has been leaking profusely.
Sources have hinted that during the last fiscal year 2023, over US$1.3million contract was awarded for the repairs and renovations of the rotunda.
Though the money was disbursed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the contractor did not receive the money to carry out renovation and refurbishment works up to present.
There are reports that some members of the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives are knowledgeable on how the money was distributed amongst those who were spearheading the project.
Police Arrest
As part of its investigation, the Liberia National Police (LNP), under the directive of Inspector General Gregory Coleman, has launched a controversial manhunt for Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko.
The order for his arrest stems from alleged remarks made by the lawmaker prior to a fire incident at the Capitol Building, which gutted the Joint Chambers of the Legislature early Wednesday morning.
Representative Foko, a prominent figure in the House of Representatives, is accused of making incendiary remarks in a video where he allegedly stated, “If they want us to burn the session, we will burn it.”
The statement has been interpreted by authorities as a possible motive behind the fire, prompting swift action from the police.
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh confirmed to journalists that individuals deemed prime suspects in the Capitol Building fire would be summoned for questioning.
While Foko had reportedly been verbally invited for questioning, he insisted on receiving a formal written invitation, raising questions about due process.
Addressing a hastily arranged press conference at the Ministry of Information, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said all those deemed as persons of interest over their comments made before and after the incident will be invited for questioning.
“When you say you are going to manifest something and immediately it manifests, then you are a suspect. And the constitution is very, very clear. There is absolutely no legislative privilege for the commission of felonious crime. We have instructed the Deputy Inspector General for Crime Services to invite the individuals concerned; and we hope that they will willingly turn themselves in and answer to whatever concerns they have, because this is the people’s building, this is the people’s assembly,” Coleman said.
Armed LNP officers barricaded the residence of Representative Foko on Wednesday, December 18, in a failed attempt to arrest him.
Despite the dramatic show of force, Foko was nowhere to be found.
The officers later left his residence, leaving behind a trail of concern about the government’s heavy-handed approach to addressing the matter.
The attempt to arrest Representative Foko follows a worrying trend of crackdowns on dissenting voices in Liberia.
The barricading of Foko’s residence and the subsequent search have been labeled by some as politically motivated, designed to instill fear among lawmakers and citizens alike.
The mysterious fire at the Capitol Building raises serious questions about safety and accountability within Liberia’s seat of power.
The public deserves answers regarding the cause of the fire, but many fear the government may exploit the incident to target political opponents.
As Representative Foko remains at large, the nation waits anxiously to see how this unfolding drama will impact Liberia’s fragile political landscape.
