The December 18 fire at Liberia’s Capitol Building has left an indelible mark on the nation, not just for the destruction caused but for the questions that remain unanswered. While the Liberia National Police (LNP) has officially labeled the incident as arson, the investigation itself is mired in controversy, raising doubts about its credibility and the potential influence of political agendas.
The fire erupted during one of the most politically volatile moments in Liberia’s recent history. The House of Representatives was already in disarray due to a contentious leadership dispute between Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Representative Richard Koon, Speaker of the majority bloc. This power struggle had devolved into protests and unrest, with tensions boiling over into the streets. Notably, the day before the fire, protests against what was perceived as the ‘unlawful’ removal of Speaker Koffa turned violent, leading to multiple arrests, including that of Sekou Kalasco, a key aide to former President George Weah.
President Joseph Boakai’s remarks when he visited to the Capitol Building, flanked by Vice President Jeremiah Koung and majority bloc Speaker Richard Koon, only fueled speculation of political interference. While standing in the charred remains of Liberia’s legislative heart, President Boakai declared the fire an act of arson and vowed swift justice. “We’re not going to accept this,” he proclaimed. “We’re asking the Minister of Justice and all the security apparatus to investigate this to the letter. People who are culprits, we will deal with them.” His statement, though assertive, raised questions about whether the investigation’s trajectory had already been influenced.
The LNP’s swift declaration of arson—absent detailed public evidence—has left observers skeptical. The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has corroborated the presence of flammable substances, but this alone is insufficient to paint a complete picture of what transpired. There are pressing questions that remain unanswered:
Did the LNFS involve international fire experts in their investigation, as initially suggested? If so, who are these experts, and what specific expertise did they bring to the table?
In the absence of international involvement, what tools, methodologies, and expertise were employed by the LNFS to arrive at their conclusions?
Can the LNFS or the LNP provide credible documentation, such as detailed investigation reports or forensic analyses, to substantiate their claims?
The opacity surrounding these critical issues undermines public confidence in the integrity of the investigation.
Adding fuel to the fire—figuratively and literally—is the suspicion that the investigation is being wielded as a political tool. The timing of the incident and the subsequent narrative of arson have led many to speculate that this could be part of a broader strategy to weaken Speaker Koffa’s position. Sources close to the investigation have hinted at efforts to link Koffa or his allies to the blaze, potentially forcing his resignation and consolidating power within the majority bloc.
Such speculation is not far-fetched in Liberia’s political climate, where accusations and counter-accusations are often the currency of power struggles. However, using a tragedy of this magnitude to settle political scores would set a dangerous precedent. It would erode trust not just in the justice system but in Liberia’s democratic institutions as a whole.
If Liberia is to emerge from this incident stronger and more unified, the government must prioritize transparency and accountability in the investigation. The following steps are essential:
The involvement of credible international fire experts, independent of political influence, should be mandatory. Their findings would lend impartiality and technical rigor to the investigation.
The LNP and LNFS must release detailed reports and evidence to the public. This includes the methodologies used, the chain of custody for evidence, and the specific conclusions drawn.
The investigation must be insulated from political machinations. Any suggestion of bias will only deepen divisions and weaken faith in the justice system.
Civil society organizations should be involved as watchdogs to ensure the process is transparent and fair.
This should not be just about finding who lit the match but about ensuring that justice is blind to power and politics. Liberia cannot afford to let this tragedy become another footnote in its long history of unresolved crises. The world is watching, and the time for decisive, credible action is now.
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