Vandalism and Sabotage at Capitol Building as Minority Bloc Targets Majority's Session

Monrovia, Capitol Hill — In a stunning act of sabotage, unknown assailants have breached the Capitol Building, vandalizing the joint chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in what appears to be a targeted attack against the Majority Bloc. This unprecedented incident has left the legislative halls in disarray, just hours before a crucial parliamentary session set for tomorrow, November 12th, 2024.

Reports from Capitol sources reveal that the perpetrators broke into the William R. Tolbert Joint Chambers, the designated seating area for the Majority Bloc, late last night. Photographs circulating online show a scene of severe destruction: rows of seats torn apart, upholstery ripped, and structural elements overturned. The damage is so extensive that the chambers have been rendered unfit for a parliamentary session.

This destructive act comes after months of tension between the Majority and Minority Blocs in the Liberian legislature, particularly surrounding Speaker Fonati Koffa's leadership. Following a series of disputes and an impasse between the two sides, the Majority Bloc had resorted to holding parallel sessions outside of Koffa's authority. This move escalated after the Supreme Court of Liberia upheld Koffa’s leadership and denied a writ of prohibition that would have blocked the Majority’s efforts.

The violent act of vandalism has heightened the already fraught political climate, with critics accusing the Minority Bloc of orchestrating the attack in a desperate bid to prevent the Majority from convening tomorrow. The timing of the attack is particularly alarming, as the Majority Bloc had planned to reconvene in the joint chambers on November 12th to push forward key legislative agendas.

Members of the Majority Bloc are condemning the attack, calling it a deliberate strategy of obstruction. In a statement released earlier today, lawmakers affiliated with the Majority expressed their outrage, saying, "This is not just an attack on our session—it is an assault on democracy. These tactics will not deter us from fulfilling our duty to the Liberian people."

 The Renovation Controversy

 Speculation surrounding the incident has also been fueled by an earlier announcement that the Capitol Building was undergoing a "major renovation," which some have suggested could be a cover for the deliberate interference. However, there has been no official statement from the Capitol authorities regarding the nature of these renovations or whether they are related to the break-in.

The destruction of the chambers casts doubt on whether this was a simple case of accidental damage or a coordinated effort to disrupt the Majority Bloc's ability to govern. Sources within the Majority have raised concerns that the Minority Bloc, led by Speaker Koffa, may be resorting to increasingly desperate measures to block legislative action, including deploying violent tactics to prevent the Majority from holding sessions.

The Minority Bloc's actions have become more brazen in recent weeks as they seek to thwart any efforts by the Majority to solidify their hold on legislative power. With the Majority’s call for an independent investigation into the incident, and their ongoing legal battles with Speaker Koffa, the crisis in the legislature shows no signs of abating.

Political analysts are warning that this conflict is not just a struggle for control of the Capitol, but a broader contest over the future of Liberia’s democratic institutions. As the Majority prepares for tomorrow’s session, many are asking: Will the destruction of the joint chambers serve as a defining moment in the escalating battle for political dominance, or will it lead to further instability?

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis S. Nyumalin, is expected to appear before the Majority Bloc tomorrow in response to their formal request for an investigation. Lawmakers aligned with the Majority are calling for swift and thorough action to identify those responsible for the breach and destruction.

“We will not allow this cowardly attack to go unpunished,” said one Majority lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “This is an attack not just on our right to meet, but on the very essence of our democracy. We demand accountability.”

As tensions continue to rise, all eyes will be on tomorrow’s session, where the Majority Bloc is determined to press forward with its legislative agenda. But with the Capitol’s facilities compromised and trust between the blocs at an all-time low, the path to resolution remains uncertain.