A fire engulfed parts of Liberia’s Capitol Building, home to the country’s legislature, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, following violent clashes between police and protesters. Demonstrators had gathered to demand an end to the ongoing leadership dispute in the House of Representatives and called for “respect for the constitution.” Firefighters faced challenges in containing the blaze, which caused significant damage to the building. Authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the cause of the fire.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions over attempts by a group of lawmakers, calling themselves the “majority bloc,” to remove opposition Speaker Fonati Koffa, affiliated with the Coalition for Democratic Change of former President George Weah. The group seeks to replace him with a member of the ruling party.
A recent Supreme Court ruling aimed at resolving the leadership crisis has failed to provide clarity, with legal experts criticizing its ambiguity. The situation has heightened political unrest in the country.