Peaceful solution needed to break Samoa's political impasse after April elections

2021-06-02 09:35:22 GMT2021-06-02 17:35:22(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

SUVA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The international community and the Pacific family have called for a peaceful solution to Samoa's political deadlock stemming from the April general elections.

As a Pacific island nation with a population of about 200,000, Samoa has been plunged into the political crisis after the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) led by caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the opposition Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party led by Fiame Naomi Mataafa have differed over the elections that initially ended in a 25-25 tie between the HRPP and FAST party with an independent member of parliament (MP).

According to Samoa's constitution, no less than 10 percent of MPs elected should be women and the ruling HRPP argued that the election of five women lawmakers in a 51-seat chamber falls short of this mandate, so the HRPP gained another seat through the addition of a female lawmaker in a warrant of election issued by the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC). But after the independent MP decided to side with the FAST party, this resulted in both parties having 26 seats each again.

The FAST party challenged the OEC decision by asking the Supreme Court to intervene and the latter dismissed the OEC decision, awarding the FAST party's one-seat majority and it was immediately appealed against by the HRPP.

The Samoa Appellant Court ruled on Wednesday that six women should sit in the parliament to meet a constitutionally mandated minimum level of representation, but the inclusion of another woman MP in the Legislative Assembly could be months away until after all election results, including by-elections, are finalized.

The Supreme Court also overruled the decision by Samoa's Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II for a fresh general election in a bid to break the political stalemate.

On May 24, Fiame was sworn in as Samoa's prime minister-elect and all elected members of the FAST party were sworn in as new members of parliament in a tent outside the locked parliament building as the Samoan head of state had suspended the planned parliament meeting.

Insisting that his caretaker government is still in place, Tuilaepa has accused the FAST party of taking "dangerous" attempts to seize power.

He stressed that the last resort is the court, but with the recent judgements by the judiciary, they don't believe in judicial independence anymore.

Meanwhile, the FAST party leader Fiame has asked Tuilaepa to step down by respecting the rule of law.

She said that MPs and officials must move from their roles and offices, and allow the public service to focus on its work in a business-like and orderly way.

On May 31, Tuilaepa said in a national address that Samoa is amidst one of its most challenging times and the entire nation is praying for a peaceful resolution.

He said he is confident that the Samoan culture is resilient and it is expected that the international community respects and is concerned about Samoa.

The caretaker prime minister has offered dialogue with the FAST party, but still wants fresh elections.

For his part, Samoan head of state Tuimalealiifano also called for reconciliation and forgiveness to resolve the current political crisis.

"We cannot achieve unity if we continue to reject reconciliation and the willingness to exercise forgiveness," he said in his speech to mark the island nation's independence day on Tuesday.

The United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has voiced its concern over the political impasse in Samoa and offered to help resolve the crisis if requested.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also urged the leaders in Samoa to find solutions to the political situation through dialogue in the best interest of the people and institutions of Samoa.

Henry Puna, new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, has encouraged all parties in Samoa to pursue peaceful means to resolve their difficulties. Enditem

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