Parliament blaze and a deadlock: Why is Liberia in a political crisis? | Government News [Video]

Monrovia, Liberia – More than a week ago, a devastating blaze raged through the halls of power in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, when the parliament building caught fire, destroying vital offices and archives.

The incident was the second fire in a week and came a day after several people were injured when police used tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the rule of law be followed in the removal of the speaker of the House of Representatives, amid an ongoing legislative impasse.

While a link between the protests and the fire, in which no casualty was reported, has not been proven, the police have questioned several people, including Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa.

So what happened in parliament last week, and how is it related to the current political tensions in Liberia?

It was early morning on December 18 when flames and thick black smoke engulfed the upper reaches of the parliament building, causing substantial …