Emergency services in Liberia are working to contain a fire that broke out at the country’s parliament building in Monrovia on Wednesday, as opposition protests against the removal of the parliament speaker entered their second day.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, but President Joseph Boakai, who visited the scene, condemned the incident and ordered an investigation. He described the fire as a “wanton destruction” and emphasized the need for accountability.
The protests, which started on Tuesday, are directed at House Speaker Konati Koffa, who is accused of corruption. Demonstrators are also calling for President Boakai to step down. Police clashed with the protesters, using tear gas to disperse the crowds and arresting dozens of individuals.
This marks the second time in a week that the parliament building has caught fire, though no evidence has linked the two incidents. Local media reports indicate that some individuals were arrested near the scene of the latest blaze.
The protests are fueled by ongoing tension over the potential removal of Koffa, a member of the opposition party. Under Liberian law, the speaker can only be removed by a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Representatives, but without sufficient support, the legislature has been paralyzed, preventing the passage of the national budget for the year.
