Live Updates from Samoa #PalotaSamoa2021

Updates on the situation unfolding in Samoa.  Thank you to journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson who has been translating for international media covering #PalotaSamoa.  We truly appreciate her and other local media - Samoa Observer, Eyespy Radio, Samoa Global News, Renate Rivers and others who have been giving live updates.  

Cover photo courtesy of Samoa Observer 

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11.27pm - Office of the Attorney General recalls their application to disqualify appeal court judges

The AG recalls this Press Release as it was not authorised and does not reflect our view of the Honourable Judiciary. We apologize profusely for this unfortunate situation.

Ma le faaaloalo tele lava.

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1.30pm - For an explainer on what's been happening so far, listen to this podcast with Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson featured on The Guardian.

And this wrap up here from RNZ Pacific 'Samoa Election Crisis:  What you need to know' 

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11.30am - via RNZ Pacific

Samoa's attorney-general has applied to have the Supreme Court justices who are set to preside over election challenges disqualified.

The country is locked in a political crisis, with the losing Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) refusing to concede power to the majority FAST party.

The HRPP insists it won't stand aside until an appeal against a Supreme Court ruling which struck out an extra seat for women, granting FAST a majority, is heard.

The attorney-general, Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale, said parliament could not be called until "this question is settled".

Today, Savalenoa - an HRPP appointee - applied to have the judges recused, in a statement questioning the three justices' impartiality.

"All four cases between FAST and the Government all went against the Government and favoured FAST," the statement said.

"There is now substantive evidence before our office that is questioning the appearance of impartiality and integrity of the judiciary presiding over this matter."

The attorney-general is asking for overseas judges to hear election-related matters.

Meanwhile, another challenge by the attorney-general against FAST's swearing-in outside parliament on Monday has been adjourned.

HRPP argues that the ceremony was unconstitutional, because the Head of State and senior parliamentary officials were absent. FAST argues it was necessary because those officials refused to go, ignoring a Supreme Court order for parliament to sit.

"If we legitimize [sic] this, then anyone in the future can use it as a dangerous precedent to swear in a government under a tent, provided they use a notary public or their very own lawyers to carry it out."

Savalenoa also accused the Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese, of potentially being in contempt of parliament for trying to enter the building on Monday.

The application will be heard this Monday the 31st of May 

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Thursday 27 May 

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10pm - Prime Minister elect Fiame Naomi Mata'afa press conference and statement seeking:

Summary of what was said via journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson below - 

Fiame: "Monday 24th May, was the day the wishes of our people were truly honored despite every attempt by caretaker gov & public office holders who failed to perform their functions, according to the law, to derail normal democratic process of elections."

"The convening of Parliament on 24th May was in accordance with the constitution, and also the decision of the countries courts. To suggest it is not, is consistent with the inability of the Caretaker to either understand or follow the law."

"What we all witnessed on Monday morning was perhaps the lowest and most disgraceful action yet, where 26 of the peoples representatives who were declared elected on 16th April, were deliberately locked out of the peoples house to prevent Parliament from convening."

"By 5PM we reconvened and on the sacred grounds of Tiafau where our forbearers are buried. Outside the sad, lifeless, symbol of our democracy, standing empty behind us, and the people of this land, reclaimed our democracy and the dignity of our country."

"Monday was when the silent suffering masses, who have been subjected to years of abuse and neglect reasserted their rights, to have the people they voted for sworn in,"

"And taking leadership from an administration which has lost its love for the people and unable to accept defeat in a manner of Chiefs. Malolo fa'atamali'i, to fall with dignity and with honor in the manner of High Chiefs,"

"We simply ask, that you keep the faith. Help is on the way, the rule of law.... May God continue to hold our nation and his people in his hands," - Fiame Naomi Mataafa, PM Elect

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At the same time the Caretaker Prime Minister was giving his address the Government of Samoa also issued a statement from the Office of the Attorney General 

8pm - Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi press conference 

Summary of what was said via journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson below - 

Tuilaepa: "A thing done under a tent, is in no way lawful. Only Governments of uneducated people who do these things. Public Service listen to one person and orders from one person, including the Clerk and Police Commissioner."

"The whole world is seeing this. My Government has no will to be here. See it's almost 6pm I am here at the Prime Ministers Office. If I was out of Government, I would be doing my prayer service now. It would be easier to be out. But I'm here, to honor my oath."

"The results of the election has us tied. If you look at initial results, HRPP won and FAST came second. The Independent candidates have caused all these problems. We need to take it back to the people. Professors and Judges overseas have advised we do another election"

"My hope. Let us be peaceful, and let us use foresight. I urge the Chiefs of the districts of the FAST candidates, there are ways to end this. We need to argue peacefully. If the people elects a clear leader, then they would be sworn in."

"Everyone knows that the Judiciaries independence and impartiality is truly questionable. But redo the process and through the law, the election is now invalid with the 45 days and a Government cannot be created because the time has lapsed. Lets return it to the people"

"I offered an olive branch, asking Fiame and Laauli to meet with me so we can negotiate, take out the petitions, so there is peace, including the Court, let's take it back to the country, let the people decide and then the reputation of the Judiciary will be protected"

A quiet day overall but some reactions from overseas media and leaders in the tweets below:

Wednesday 26 May 

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12pm - At the FAST Headquarters, they are performing the ava ceremony and cultural practices welcoming/celebrating a new FAST Government.

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11am - Prime Minister elect Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi addressed the nation via the Government of Samoa Facebook page livestream.

He is reiterating that he remains in power, questions decisions of the Supreme Court and disparages FAST Leaders for events of yesterday.

"The Chief Judge is directly related to Fiame and La'auli. Judge Mata is friends with Fiame. Judge Nelson is still angry he was not selected as CJ," - Tuilaepa disparages and discredits the reputation of the Chief Justice & Judiciary, accusing them of conflict of interest.

"I walked into this chair with nothing. When it's done, I will just walk home with nothing, I came in with nothing, I will leave with nothing. I am thankful God chose me to sit here," - Tuilaepa.

Translations via Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson with a summation by her below: 

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Other reactions from around Oceania this morning - 

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8.30am - Prime Minister Elect Fiame Naomi Mata'afa phoned into the Breakfast on One show this morning for an interview with Toleafoa John Campbell.  She went over the events of the day yesterday and said as a result of the lockout, she named her cabinet yesterday in a tent on parliament grounds, but whether the ceremony will be regarded as legal and official remains to be seen.

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Tuesday 25 May

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8.20pm - The caretaker Government of Samoa have released the below statement.  Your move Prime Minister elect .... 

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6.33pm - FAST party are moving ahead and have officially announced Fiame as the Prime Minister and the "King Maker" - Hon. Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio the Deputy Prime Minister.

6.27pm - Meanwhile internationally, the Federated States of Micronesia are the first Pacific Islands country to officially recognise Fiame Naomi Mata'afa as the Prime Minister of Samoa with the this tweet:

A recap on today's events by Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson in her tweets below and also in her interview on Te Ao with Moana 

5.48pm - The caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa is now making a statment 

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#Watch the FB live video of the swearing in of Samoa's new parliament in the video below 

They have taken the stance that Parliament must convene within 45 days.

5.10pm - Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is sworn in as the Prime Minister of Samoa to cheers and applause.

5.05pm - FAST MP's have been sworn in 

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4.41pm - Papali'i Li'o Oloipola Ta'eu Masepa'u is sworn in as Speaker of the House 

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4.30pm - La'auli has called for the Legislative Clerk 

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4.00pm - The ceremony has begun with hymns and a sermon.

There is still no sign of the Head of State or the Judiciary

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3.41pm - The FAST legal team have arrived - 

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3.31pm - Announcement by FAST Party founder La'auli Leauatea Polataivao

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3.20pm - Prime Minister elect Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has arrived at the Malae o Tiafau.

The former Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his wife have also arrived.

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2.48pm - The swearing in of the new parliament looks set to take place outside the fale fono on the Malae o Tiafau at 4pm Samoa time.

Further clarification on the swearing in ceremony of elected members of Parliament in Samoa today by the Samoa Observer 

EyeSpy Radio in Samoa have gone live on FB in the video below 

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1.45pm - Samoa Global News with a photo essay on the historical stand-off between Samoa's Judiciary, Parliament and Executive.

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11.08am - 

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He accused FAST of disrespecting Government and process and accused HoS Tupua of unbecoming behavior.  Tuilaepa then listed his Chiefly titles as it related to the Paramount titles and the relationship between him and Tupua and why he needs to respect it.