We call upon the Australian Government to take a stand against dictatorship and corruption in Samoa by formally recognising Fiame Naomi Mataafa as the duly elected Prime Minister of Samoa.

Since the Samoan General Election was held on the 9th of April 2021, we have watched on in disbelief and great sadness as the constitutional crisis in Samoa plays out. More specifically, the actions of the former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and his political party HRPP. 

Tuilaepa has chosen to take matters into his own hands by choosing not to concede defeat in a general election where:

1. An opposing political party (FAST) secured equal number of seats in the General Election. Elections results were HRPP: 25, FAST 25, Independent:1

2. The winning Independent member was consulted by both party leaders and chose not to align with Tuilaepa's (HRPP) party.

3. The Electoral Commissioner and the Head of State (HoS) later added an additional member of the HRPP party in the middle of the night. HoS signs a writ leading to a deadlock. Election results became HRPP 26, FAST: 25, Independent: 1

4. The winning Independent member decides to align with FAST. Election results became: HRPP 26, FAST 26

5. The HoS informs the nation that a new election will take place, first elections results are now revoked.

6. FAST takes #3 and #5 to the Supreme Court of Samoa and challenges the decisions of HoS.

7. The Supreme Court ruled that #3 and #5 were unconstitutional and therefore void, and that the first elections outcomes were reinstated; meaning the results were now: HRPP: 25, FAST: 26, and subsequently ordering for resumption of Parliament to take place as per the Constitution

8. The HoS then formally declares that the swearing in of elected members of Parliament will proceed on Monday, 24th of May 2021, as ordered by the Supreme Court only to retract his proclamation late in the evening on Saturday, 22nd of May 2021 without reason.

9. An emergency hearing was held on Sunday, 23rd of May 2021 with the Supreme Court ruling that #8 was unlawful and that the HoS's proclamation for the first sitting of the 17th  Parliament of Samoa on Monday, 24th of May 2021 is of lawful effect. 

10. Monday, 24th of May 2021, elected members and supporters of FAST arrive at Parliament only to find doors were locked with a heavy police presence. Chief Justice arrives and tries to open door himself to no avail and returns to nearby Court House. Tuilaepa, his elected HRPP members, and the Head of State are not present at Parliament. Doors remain locked.

11. FAST proceed with the swearing-in of elected members under a tent outside a locked parliament building. Still, no HRPP elected members present, nor the HoS.

12. Swearing in of FAST Party elect members and proceedings end late into evening after spending the whole day waiting for the HRPP party, and HoS to arrive.

13. Since Monday, 24th of May 2021, Tuilaepa has held press conferences every evening in the office of the Prime Minister still refusing to concede, goading the duly elected Prime Minister and even stooping as low as reading out her mobile number on national television.

Tuilaepa claims to be abiding by the laws but has chosen not follow the Supreme Court's decisions and has made statements that the Judiciary could not tell him what to do as he was appointed by God to lead Samoa.

We call upon the Australian Government to take a stand against dictatorship and corruption in Samoa by formally recognising Fiame Naomi Mataafa as the duly elected Prime Minister of Samoa.