LATEST - Fiame Naomi Mata’afa Remains PM of Samoa

All FAST Party MPs voted against the HRPP motion of a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who has now successfully survived a motion of no confidence in the Samoan Parliament.

34 parliamentary members voted against the motion of no confidence, and 15 voted in support of the motion, allowing her to retain her position. 

ce motion was put forward by the Opposition, prompted by a split in the ruling FAST Party, which saw Fiame leading a minority government.

In a shock move on Tuesday March 25th, FAST members voted alongside Fiame's faction to register a resounding defeat against opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi's motion, which was granted a hearing in parliament by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Another unexpected development saw opposition leader Tuilaepa who registered the no confidence motion, giving his full support for Fiame’s leadership, telling off the FAST faction who had previously called for her removal to ‘support their leader and stop being two -faced” 

2025 saw political upheaval hit Samoa in early January, when the chairman of the ruling FAST party and Samoa's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La'auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed he was facing criminal charges.

On 10 January, Mata'afa removed La'auli's ministerial portfolio and subsequently removed three of her Cabinet ministers.

But La'auli remained chair of the FAST Party, and went on to announce the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.

In response Fiame removed 13 of her associate ministers who had aligned themselves with La’auli, after earlier removing three FAST Cabinet Ministers.

“Ua va le fogava’a.” : there is a rift in the alignment of the canoes, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa Parliamentary statement

Fiame stated in an earlier Parliamentary address: “These challenges are not unprecedented. In 1982, similar divisions within the HRPP led to multiple changes in leadership before the government stabilised.”

She asserted that her Cabinet remained committed to fulfilling their duties as outlined in the law.

In an apology to the nation for the disruptions caused by the unrest, the PM called for mutual respect

“My leadership defers to the rule of law to conduct my work. The rule of law is the umbrella that protects all Samoans under equal treatment under the law” 

"The only sure thing in this parliament, is that I, and my cabinet, are leading this government by way of the Constitution… How do we continue even though the governing FAST party is divided? We continue on the strength of the law because there is no majority in HRPP’s motion of no confidence and FAST group that is being lead by Gagaifomauga No. 3 Member [Laʻauli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt]"

It is hoped that this outcome of events will see political stability for Samoa as FAST sees out its political term. 

-

Sources: Govt of Samoa FB live, RNZ, DevPolicy article Lagipoiva Cherelle Fruean
Cover Photo - Anetone Sagaga