Sāmoa PM booted from party amid questions on govt future

Sāmoa’s ruling party has ousted their leader and five cabinet members in the political saga’s latest twist.

On Wednesday night, 20 members of Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa (FAST) unanimously voted to expel leader and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and five of her closest cabinet members.

The move follows Fiame’s removal of La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, also the FAST party chair, from his cabinet position due to criminal charges of conspiracy and harassment.

Independent journalist Lagipoiva Dr Cherelle Jackson said that although the prime minister followed due process and parties have the right to expel a member, the domino effect of the fallout could be dire.

“What has unfolded in Samoa's politics since the 3rd of January has been a very shocking turn of events, given the fact that this is the ruling party and a removal and expulsion of the candidate of the member of parliament who is the sitting Prime Minister … is such an extreme measure by the current chair of the FAST party.

“If the announcement from last night carries forward, and the Speaker of the House accepts the notice from the FAST party, then those seats are vacated, which means Fiame will not be the Prime Minister, and she’ll lose her seat.”

Speaking on behalf of the caucus, La’auli emphasised the move aimed to preserve party unity and trust.

Lagipoiva said personality differences behind the factions inside FAST have ruptured the ruling party.

“Lines were drawn between Fiame and La’auli and some members of the FAST party chose sides, and it's now leading to a possible weakening of their party, and the consequences of that is they may potentially lose the House.”

Although Fiame upheld the rule of law in removing La’auli from the cabinet while the charges were pending, Lagipoiva said this triggered a further backlash and split loyalties.

“La'auli has been using the Trump playbook. He's utilising his following, which is quite a large following globally, the diaspora Sāmoans, to garner support for himself to maintain his innocence amid the charges.

“All of his announcements have been on Facebook Live with constant updates to his followers throughout this turmoil.”

What happens next?

According to the Electoral Act 2019 the FAST party should inform the Speaker of the House of their decision, then the seats are immediately vacated once this has been accepted.

Sāmoa’s parliament has 51 seats, and Lagipoiva said the move weakens the party’s majority.

From left, Leota Laki Sio, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o, and Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo have been dismissed from Cabinet. Photo/RNZ Pacific/FAST PARTY Facebook/Eyespy Radio 87.5/Patricia Scotland KC, Facebook

“Right now, HRPP has 18 members, and according to the announcement by La’auli, he has 20 … whereas they went in with over 30 members, so that really weakens the FAST party moving forward.

“Basically, FAST are shooting themselves in the foot by removing their leader and also the person who holds the highest authority in government,” Lagipoiva said.

“They’re going to vacate the prime ministerial seat in the hopes that they will then be able to put someone else in there.”

A by-election will be held in constituencies with the newly vacated seats, and expelled MPs can run again as independents or representatives of another political party.

Expelled MPs can challenge their expulsion through the Supreme Court.

There has been no response from the Prime Minister, HRPP or FAST at the time of publishing.

Sāmoa's new Cabinet Ministers who were sworn in on Wednesday. From left, Lagaaia Tiaituau Tufuga, Niuava Eti Malolo, Mauu Siaosi Puepuemai, and Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua. Photo/Talamua Online, Sāmoa Observer, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Sāmoa Observer - Vaitogi Asuisui Matafeo.