Page 15 - IB May 2021

Samoa Samoa

cluding essential services such as health and education. If the mentioned date “until such time as to be announced and for
2021/2022 budget is not tabled and passed, it will have over- reasons I would make known in due course.”
reaching effects on the everyday functions of Government, Earlier in the week two busloads of chiefs and villagers
including its ability to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic and from Falelatai, the District of the Head of State had visited
sustain its current responses,” Tuimalealiifano declared. him at his official residence in Vailele offering to take him
“There must be in place by June 2021 a Parliament to pass back to his village where they would guard him with their
the 2021/2022 Budget in order for Government to carry out its lives.
usual fiscal responsibilities. They were concerned for the safety of their paramount
“Separately, a delay in forming Parliament may affect our chief, Nanai Lupematasila Fa’amanu Ivara told media.
regional and international responsibilities and effectiveness of “The rude comments and posts on social media against the
our partnership arrangements. Tama Aiga by supporters of the other political party are hurt-
“The uncertainty regarding the results of the elections has ful and the village feels that too.”
affected every fabric of our society. Nanai said the comments threatens the safety of the Head
“With these considerations in mind, I have sought advice as of State and stopped him from attending his normal rou-
to my role in these uncertain times. I have been assured that tine activities such as attending last week’s meeting of the
as the Head of State I am able to call fresh elections where, Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, and attending the
after a general election, there is no clear majority to form a funeral of a family member in the village.
government; and where it is in the public interest to do so.” On the day Tuimalealiifano suspended the convening of
This prompted FAST to challenge the Head of State’s au- Parliament, he returned to his village, Matautu, Falelatai and
thority to declare null and void the election results and call was under police guard.
fresh elections. FAST won both cases in the Supreme Court. Late at night that same day, FAST leader Fiame, said in a
Two of the respondents in those cases, Electoral Commis- video posted on the FAST Party Facebook page that they will
sioner Faimalomatumua and Aliimalemanu, immediately asked accept the decision by the Head of State which may have
for an appeal and stay of execution on the women’s seat been on the advice of the caretaker government and Prime
ruling. Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, or the Electoral commis-
The court of appeal upheld the Supreme Court ruling that sioner or Attorney General .
the appointment of Aliimalemanu was unlawful. She said FAST will again seek a ruling from the court on the
One of the three justices who heard the case, I however, latest development.
Vui Clarence Nelson, had a differing opinion, from his two col- In the meantime she appealed to supporters and Samoa to
leagues, Niava Mata Tuatagaloa and Lesatele Rapi Vaai. remain calm and peaceful.
Vui said that the 5 women elected on 9 April amounted to Fiame said the caretaker PM was trying to sow an impres-
only 9.8% which fell short of the 10% quota stated in the law. sion that their side was causing unrest, but these were false
Despite his differing opinion, Justice Vui sided with the accusations.
other justices that the appointment of Aliimalemanu was not “Our people are well mannered, educated and are Chris-
lawful. tians,” she said.
Another Supreme Court panel, comprising Chief Justice The FAST leader went on to say that the other side was
Satiu Simativa Perese, justices Vui Clarence Nelson and Tafao- spreading false information.
imalo Leilani Tuala-Warren found that the move by the Head “They are the leaders that the people chose and put their
of State to set aside the election results and call for new vot- trust in, but they have turned against the very laws that put
ing, was unconstitutional. them in office,” declared Fiame.
So the fresh 21 May fresh election was called off. The daughter of Samoa’s first prime minister after indepen-
The court of appeal which heard the motion for a stay of dence in 1962, Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II, Fiame was
the ruling on the women’s seat sided with FAST which said to take her oath of office as the first female prime minister on
that a stay would in substance, see Aliimalemanu “sit and the first day of Parliament.
act as a member of the Assembly despite the Supreme Court She would have brought an end to the more than 20 year
having held her appointment to be unlawful and despite that tenure of Prime Minister Tuilaepa, and closed out nearly 40
judgment having not yet been considered, let alone upheld or years of HRPP rule.
overturned by this Court.” FAST was founded in July of 2020 after two former mem-
The panel, Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese with justices bers of the governing Human Rights Protection Party, Laauli
Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren and Fepuleai Ameperosa Leuatea Schmidt and Leatinu’u Wayne Sooialo became inde-
Roma dismissed the stay application. pendents and formed the party with a long-time opposition
The same day the Head of State issued a proclamation to member Olo Fiti Va’ai.
convene Parliament on 24 May for the swearing in of the 17th FAST soon picked up speed and when Fiame defected and
Parliament. became an independent, the original trio recognised the po-
But just a day later he came out with a new proclama- litical worth of handing the party leadership to her.
tion which suspended the convening of Parliament on the Continued on page 21

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