Liberia: Capitol Building Fire Sparks Outrage: Police Investigate, Lawmakers Demand Accountability, Diplomatic Missions Urge Calm
It was a impolite awakening for the Liberian authorities because the Capitol Building, the seat of the Legislature, was engulfed in flames. The fireplace utterly destroyed the William R. Tolbert Joint Chamber, which is utilized by the Legislature.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The Liberia National Fire Service and the Ministry of Justice have but to ascertain the reason for the hearth. However, throughout a short go to to the Legislature, President Joseph Boakai strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a critical menace to Liberia’s democracy and vowing that these accountable can be held accountable.
He acknowledged: “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 newest fireplace incident on the Capitol Building marks the second time in lower than two weeks that the constructing has been affected by fire-related incidents.
Last week, the constructing was engulfed in thick smoke. Firefighters attributed the smoke to {an electrical} fault within the panel packing containers. Although there was no precise fireplace, staffers had been compelled to evacuate after the smoke was detected within the part of the constructing housing the workplaces of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Representative Richard Koon, the self-declared Speaker of the Majority Bloc.
The Capitol Building has been on the middle of political drama in latest months attributable to a management disaster within the House of Representatives. The joint chamber has performed a key position on this disaster, with the Majority Bloc faction utilizing it to conduct periods. In the wake of the hearth incident, some have accused the pro-Koffa group of being accountable.
The Capitol Building Built within the Fifties, the dome of the Capitol has not undergone important repairs. For the previous 15 years, the roof of the dome has leaked profusely. FrontPage Africa gathered that final yr (fiscal yr 2023), over $1.3 million was allotted for the repairs and renovations of the rotunda.
Speaker Koffa, weighing in on the problem, described it as unlucky.
“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 mentioned justice have to be served within the incident with out concern or favor.
She recommended fireplace fighters for his or her efforts utilized to quench the hearth from spreading to workplaces and different components of the constructing.
“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 hearth fighters exhibited a excessive stage of professionalism and teamwork to forestall the hearth 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 fireside outbreaks and different incidents to make sure the security and safety of Liberians have to be acknowledged.
“We are immensely proud and grateful for your service to our country.”
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County referred to as for the “rigor of the law to be served” on the alleged perpetrators (if there may be 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 recommended the roles performed by firefighters from the Liberia National Fire Service, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation, Sethi Brothers, and all servicemen of our nationwide safety establishments to cease the incident from escalating.
He emphasised that the hearth incident on 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 half, Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill referred to as for the continuing investigation into the incident to be neutral.
“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 newest fireplace incident on the Capitol Building, prompted a shift within the funeral actions of fallen Liberian Vice President and Senator John D. Gray.
A silent wake preserving over his stays which was scheduled to happen on the rotunda of the Capitol Building has been cancelled and scheduled to happen on the headquarters of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) on account of the hearth incident.
The fireplace incident comes within the wake of a peaceable protest staged on the Capitol Building by a gaggle of Liberians underneath the banner March to the Capitol on Tuesday.
The group was protesting to name the eye of presidency and worldwide companions to make sure that the rule of legislation is upheld and the structure revered within the ongoing management disaster on the House of Representatives.
However, the protest turned violent when police reportedly fired tear fuel to disperse the protesters. Several protesters had been injured and lots of arrested together with Sekou Kalasco Demaro, an aide of former President George Weah who’re nonetheless in detention.
More condemnations
The two fireplace incidents on the Capitol Building comes within the wake of the controversial interpretation of the Supreme Court’s preliminary ruling on the deadlock on the House of Representatives by Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, the graduation of legislative actions on the draft nationwide funds for Fiscal Year 2025 by the Majority Bloc and the choice taken by the Liberian Senate to do enterprise with the Majority Bloc and Representative Richard Koon as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Liberian Council of Churches (LCC), by way of its President Samuel Reeves has condemned the incident on the Capitol Building and referred to as for an investigation.
In an announcement issued shortly after the newest fireplace incident, Rev. Reeves, mentioned if arson is confirmed, these accountable have to be held accountable.
In response to the Capitol Hill disaster, the LCC mentioned it has facilitated dialogue between the opposing events, together with a gathering at Providence Baptist Church, the place either side pledged to respect the rule of legislation.
“Despite this, the LCC is deeply concerned by their continued disregard for Supreme Court rulings,” the LCC mentioned in an announcement.
The LCC added that given the anomaly of the Supreme Court’s latest choice, it has formally requested clarification to information its place on the matter, stating that upholding the rule of legislation is paramount to sustaining peace and stability.
The LCC has urged Liberians to stay calm and peaceable, permitting the authorized course of to prevail and defend Liberia’s fragile democracy.
The United States Embassy in Liberia has condemned the violence that erupted on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, urging all events to stay calm and embrace dialogue to resolve the continuing deadlock.
In an announcement launched Wednesday, the Embassy reaffirmed the elemental proper of residents to specific their views peacefully whereas 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 acknowledged.
Also, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed deep concern over the escalating rigidity in Monrovia, condemning the violent clashes between police and protesters on Wednesday.
In an announcement launched on Wednesday, ECOWAS referred to as for restraint from all events, together with protesters and the Liberia National Police, urging them to train 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 assertion learn.
History of the Capitol Building
The Capitol Building was initially constructed and devoted in 1956 throughout the tenure of William R. Tolbert, Jr. as vp of Liberia and president of the Senate, whereas 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 devoted two newly constructed annexes of the Capitol Building. It was one of many developmental tasks he inherited from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf authorities.
The development of the extra annexes was undertaken by the People’s Republic of China as a present to the folks and authorities of Liberia, amid the dearth of ample workplace areas for lawmakers and their employees. The venture value US$12.9 million.
The two new annexes contained 40 workplaces on the wing of the House of Representatives and 20 workplaces for the Senate. The annexes additionally embrace an extra chamber for the House and the Senate, along with a joint chamber and workplaces for employees of the legislature.
The outdated constructing has skilled a sequence of assaults starting from burglaries, theft leakages amongst others. Since the development of the Capitol Building, the dome has not been repaired.
For the previous 15 years, the roof of the dome has been leaking profusely.
Sources have hinted that over the past fiscal yr 2023, over US$1.3million contract was awarded for the repairs and renovations of the rotunda.
Though the cash was disbursed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the contractor didn’t obtain the cash to hold out renovation and refurbishment works as much as current.
There are stories that some members of the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives are educated on how the cash was distributed amongst those that had been spearheading the venture.
Police Arrest
As a part of its investigation, the Liberia National Police (LNP), underneath 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 previous to a fireplace incident on the Capitol Building, which gutted the Joint Chambers of the Legislature early Wednesday morning.
Representative Foko, a outstanding determine within the House of Representatives, is accused of creating incendiary remarks in a video the place he allegedly acknowledged, “If they want us to burn the session, we will burn it.”
The assertion has been interpreted by authorities as a potential motive behind the hearth, prompting swift motion from the police.
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh confirmed to journalists that people deemed prime suspects within the Capitol Building fireplace can be summoned for questioning.
While Foko had reportedly been verbally invited for questioning, he insisted on receiving a proper written invitation, elevating questions on due course of.
Addressing a swiftly organized press convention on the Ministry of Information, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman mentioned all these deemed as individuals of curiosity over their feedback made earlier than and after the incident might 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 mentioned.
Armed LNP officers barricaded the residence of Representative Foko on Wednesday, December 18, in a failed try and arrest him.
Despite the dramatic present of pressure, Foko was nowhere to be discovered.
The officers later left his residence, forsaking a path of concern in regards to the authorities’s heavy-handed method to addressing the matter.
The try and arrest Representative Foko follows a worrying pattern of crackdowns on dissenting voices in Liberia.
The barricading of Foko’s residence and the following search have been labeled by some as politically motivated, designed to instill concern amongst lawmakers and residents alike.
The mysterious fireplace on the Capitol Building raises critical questions on security and accountability inside Liberia’s seat of energy.
The public deserves solutions relating to the reason for the hearth, however many concern the federal government might exploit the incident to focus on political opponents.
As Representative Foko stays at giant, the nation waits anxiously to see how this unfolding drama will affect Liberia’s fragile political panorama.
