By Jamesetta D. Williams
Liberia-The recent fire incident that ravaged the seat of the Legislature-Capitol Building has sparked outrage, accusations, and a full-scale investigation as many wonder as to who set the Capitol Building ablaze.
The Government of Liberia has since described the incident as an arson attack with few arrest made in connection with the incident. The burning of the Capitol Building follows recent political tensions within the House of Representatives between the self-styled Majority Bloc headed by District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon who was controverially elected as Speaker and the Majority Bloc Bloc headed by embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Immediately folowing the fire incident, the Liberia National Police (LNP) blamed the situation on a suspected arson attack.
Addressing the regular press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism yesterday, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman outlined the police’s approach to the investigation.
“The particular scene has all of the elements associated with arson,” Coleman said. “We treat it as such until we can clarify all of the doubt and everything around it.”
Several individuals were arrested at the Capitol following the fire. Coleman noted that many of them, including security personnel, were later released after their identities and roles were verified. However, two to three individuals remain in custody as persons of interest.
“Yes, we have people we are questioning at this point in time,” Coleman confirmed, adding that the police were committed to conducting a thorough investigation. He added that no amount of immunity would shield persons of interest from the investigation and facing the law if found culpable.
The Inspector General also addressed public concerns regarding protests that took place at the Capitol a day earlier, December 17, during which police were accused of using excessive force. “This is not the Wild Wild West. This is a nation of law,” Coleman stated, defending the police response as “proportionate” and necessary to restore order.
But who are those behind the burning of the Capitol Building, remains the inexplicable question on the minds of Liberia as they express anger and fear amid these political turmoils in the country.
Presently, some citizens are pointing accusing fingers at Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, a staunch supporter of Speaker Koffa who has also been implicated in the controversy based on his alleged comments about five months ago, while others are also accusing a Liberian Government officials, Mo Ali of semilar comments of setting the capitol building ablaze.
Police contacted Foko for questioning via text message, but his account of their subsequent actions has raised eyebrows. “I told my security at the gate, if the police come to see me, they can come in the house,” Foko told Spoon TV. “But they came around the place, they moved around the community.”
Rep. Foko categorically denied having any connection to the fire or the individuals arrested in his office. He also dismissed a resurfaced video in which he appeared to advocate for drastic measures, including burning legislative sessions, if the government failed to prioritize public welfare.
“Five months ago, during a media engagement at my office, I accused the Speaker of protecting the LPRC boss and made a statement that we will politically burn down the Capitol,” Rep. Foko admitted adding, “I also demanded that we focus on doing the Liberian people’s job peacefully without breaking the rules of the land. Why is the police now using this to come after me instead of investing in CCTV cameras powered by solar
Critics argue that his statement about “politically burning down the Capitol” may have been metaphorical but remains concerning given the recent events.
In the referenced video, Rep. Foko, who is seen behind his office desk at the Capitol Building, wearing a white suit emphatically declared, “If we cannot prioritize the Liberian people’s interest, for which we were sent here from the 73 districts, we should burn that session.”
“The video that is trending,” Foko explained yesterday following the fire outbreak, “I had that interview five months ago.” He claims the footage was edited to misrepresent his stance. Despite the controversy, Foko emphasized his willingness to cooperate with authorities, stating that he would report to the police with his lawyer.
Victor G. Flomo believed to be a supporter of the main opposition CDC noted in a post, “Why we await the initiation and outcome of investigation on the most recent Fire incident up Capitol hills, the post made by Unity Party Chief Propagandist Mr. Mo Ali just yesterday predicting a Watershed News on today, should be very key to investigators.”
Victor added, “If the cause of this fire incident is not natural, then it’s very likely that the Unity Party propaganda team headed by LWSC Boss Mo Ali chose to use the statement made by Representative Rep Frank Saah Foko Jr. about burning down the Capitol as a backing to execute this devilish act against the state with the objective of putting the Minority Block headed by Speaker Cllr J. Fonati Koffa against the Liberian people. No body stupid here!”
This statement also seems to implicate the ruling party stalwart as many also calling on the police to invite him (Mo Ali) for questioning in connection with the fire incident on Capitol Hill.
Also, embattled Speaker Koffa, a key figure in the ongoing political standoff in the House of Representatives, has come under scrutiny for a cryptic Facebook post he made hours before the fire. The post, which simply read, “The Alamo!!!” and later deleted, raised suspicions that Koffa may have had foreknowledge of the incident.
But in response to these suspicions, Koffa dismissed any connection between his post and the fire. “If I had foreknowledge about the fire, would I have posted it? Would I engage in arson?” Koffa responded to the Daily Observer via a WhatsApp chat. “The Alamo celebrated brave men and women who stood for what they believe. The people at the Alamo did not burn their own building.”
The Speaker’s reference to the Alamo-a historic 1836 battle in the USA, in which a small group of Texans resisted a much larger Mexican army-was, according to him, a metaphorical nod to his supporters’ resolve in the face of political adversaries (i.e. the Majority Bloc).
The fire has intensified the already fraught political climate in the House of Representatives for over two months. A faction calling itself the “Majority Bloc” has been attempting to unseat Speaker Koffa, claiming to have installed a new Speaker in defiance of constitutional procedures. The factionalism has led to heated confrontations, with Koffa’s supporters accusing the Majority Bloc of undermining democratic norms.
The Capitol fire has sparked widespread outrage among Liberians, many of whom see it as a direct attack on the nation’s democracy. Civil society groups have called for a swift and transparent investigation, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
To accelerate the investigation, Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah announced a US$5,000 reward for credible information leading to breakthroughs in the Capitol fire case. Minister Piah also appealed to journalists to practice ethical reporting during this sensitive time. “We encourage media practitioners to stick to the facts and avoid sensationalism that could inflame public sentiment,” he stated.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the incident comes just a day after a tense protest against the removal of Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa. Several protesters, including an aide to former President George Weah, were arrested during Tuesday’s demonstration.
The parliament building in Liberia caught fire Wednesday and the country’s president condemned the “wanton destruction,” even as no link was immediately confirmed to anti-government protests in the capital.
