By Festus Poquie
Liberia’s House Speaker Fonati Koffa and family emerged unharmed after a devastating fire outbreak razed their home in the Rehab Paynesville neighborhood in Monrovia.
“We are homeless,” the Speaker told reporters Monday at the Capitol where he has returned to work after the Sunday evening disaster.
“The Lord giveth and he taketh. We are grateful to God for saving our lives. “
Former President George Weah, also a neighbor, offered his house to the Koffas and provided clothing to House Leader who left his residence with nothing.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities are probing the situation. Independent experts from the United States will investigate the matter., Koffa said.
Cases of fire related disasters have increased in Liberian Capital since the start of 2024.
The Speaker has played an influential role in the consummation of a legal framework for the establishment of a mixture of domestic and international tribunal to war and economic crimes committed during the country’s Civil wars.
For the first time in more than 2 decades since the end of the wars, the legislature under Koffa’s leadership has reached a resolution to Jumpstart a process that will address wars crimes accountable and stem impunity.
In the process, the Speaker said he has been receiving hate messages. He provided no further details.
