Samoa leadership talks fail to resolve political impasse

RNZ Pacific

Samoa’s Prime Minister-elect, FAST party leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, says negotiations remain at an impasse between her party and the rival Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).

The parties met yesterday in Apia to try and resolve the stalemate resulting from the April 9 election.

In a statement last night, Fiame maintained that FAST held the majority of 26 seats to the HRPP’s 25.

• READ MORE: Other reports on the Samoan post-elections crisis

She said these FAST members had been sworn in, with a cabinet appointed and speaker and deputy chosen.

The HRPP leader, caretaker Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi continued to claim the result was not clear because 10 percent of 51 members or six women representatives in the House had not been achieved.

But Fiame said last week’s Court of Appeal decision was not retrospective and could only apply to future elections as the writ of appointment of the elected members was given by the Head of State on 16 April 2021.

Fiame said she was also seeking the continuing support and prayers of the churches and the nation as the political leaders look to amicably resolve the current impasse.

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