We won : Samoa PM-elect accuses Tuilaepa of classic dictator behaviour as power battle rages on Newshub 4 days ago
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The United Nations (UN) is standing by as the battle for power continues to rage in Samoa, with Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata afa doubling down on her election win despite the outgoing leader s refusal to concede defeat.
The organisation is waiting in the wings to ensure a peaceful transfer of power if caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, the country s leader of 23 years, refuses to relinquish the reins.
Mata afa s FAST Party won the election on April 9 by a narrow margin, obtaining a 26-25 majority vote - an achievement that made her Samoa s first female Prime Minister.
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But in a late night decision over the weekend, current head of state Tuimaleali ifano Va aleto a Sualauvi II canceled Monday s parliamentary sitting without explanation, New Zealand national broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.
Although Samoa s Supreme Court ruled Sunday that the order cancelling the parliamentary sitting was unlawful, FAST arrived at Parliament on Monday to find the doors locked, according to RNZ. I think a coup would be accurate, FAST spokesman Lance Apulu told RNZ when asked to describe Monday s events. Bloodless, but they are actually coups.
FAST went ahead with the swearing-in ceremony on Monday in a tent, RNZ reported, although it is unclear how legitimate those proceedings will be. Monday was the final possible day a new parliament can be formed under the constitution.
Samoa s PM-elect slams rival s games amid vote crisis
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25/05/2021 - 04:00 Samoa s Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata afa has accused her predecessor, who has refused to cede power, of playing electoral games Handout Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST)/AFP/File 3 min
Apia (Samoa) (AFP)
A constitutional crisis in the Pacific nation of Samoa headed back to the courts on Tuesday as Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata afa dismissed the electoral games of her predecessor, who has refused to relinquish power.
Mata afa was sworn in as the country s first female prime minister at an extraordinary ceremony in a tent outside parliament on Monday after the island nation s long-serving ruler refused to cede power and ordered the doors of the building to be locked.
Samoa s First Woman PM-Elect Dismisses Rival s Electoral Games Amid Vote Crisis Fiame Naomi Mata afa revealed on Tuesday she was facing a private prosecution over the makeshift ceremony.
Updated: May 25, 2021 10:18 am IST
Fiame Naomi Mata afa (centre white )was sworn in as Samoa s first female PM in a tent outside parliament
Apia, Samoa:
A constitutional crisis in the Pacific nation of Samoa headed back to the courts on Tuesday as Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata afa dismissed the electoral games of her predecessor, who has refused to relinquish power.
Mata afa was sworn in as the country s first female prime minister at an extraordinary ceremony in a tent outside parliament on Monday after the island nation s long-serving ruler refused to cede power and ordered the doors of the building to be locked.
Fiame said she ll be writing to all government departments, including the head of state. They should begin to do a transitioning, so I think that s the next step. But it s not going to be easy.
It s not easy because on Monday the ceremony was labelled a coup and an act of treason by Tuilaepa.
Continuing his attack on Tuesday, he said his opponents had disgraced our country .
Tuialepa also attacked the integrity of the Judiciary, accusing it of bias, saying the Chief Justice was related to Fiame.
Fiame said it s clear Tuilaepa has no respect for the law. I think I need to remind him that Court decides on the merits of the case. I would have to say either he s been very badly advised or he s taking that usual power trip where his expectation is whatever he says goes, she said.