A massive fire tore through parts of Liberia’s parliament building on Wednesday, following a day of tense protests sparked by months of political deadlock.
Authorities confirmed that the blaze, which erupted early in the morning, had been contained, and an investigation has been launched to determine its cause.
Both the US embassy and the regional bloc ECOWAS condemned the “violence” that occurred between protesters and police on Tuesday, urging calm in the West African nation.
Social media videos from local outlets showed flames engulfing the building in Monrovia, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
The Liberia National Police shared images of fire trucks outside the parliament as firefighters worked to control the fire with long hoses and water jets.
President Joseph Boakai visited the site on Wednesday and condemned “extensive destruction” in the country.
The fire followed protests in Monrovia against a controversial attempt to remove House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa. The issue has caused months of political deadlock between two rival legislative factions, with the anti-Koffa group accusing the opposition lawmaker of corruption and mismanaging his budget.
Liberia’s National Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, told reporters that the demonstration had started peacefully, but a group of protesters broke through a barrier near parliament and became violent, throwing stones at officers. Tear gas was deployed, and dozens of arrests were made.
In a statement, the government denied claims that live ammunition had been used, stating that “only non-lethal force” was employed to disperse the protesters.
