Samoan parliamentarians swearing in proceeds despite lockdown

FAST Party Leaders, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio (seated right) Laauli Leuatea Polataivao (standing left) checking documentations  for the MPs swearing ceremony.

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 24 MAY 2021: The ceremony to swear in the 26 members of parliament of the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi Party, is now underway following the lockdown of Samoa’s Parliament Building and the relevant officials withholding support for the ceremony scheduled to proceed at 0930 this morning.

After consulting legal advice, the party proceeded with the swearing in of its members before the 45 days mandated by the Constitution for the Parliament to meet after the general election.

That 45 days expires at midnight tonight, hence the move to proceed with the swearing in the members.

The ceremony proceeded under a tent directly infront of the main entrance to the Australian funded Parliament building as the parliament doors remained lock and under police guard.

It’s been seven weeks after the general elections and court cases against efforts to delay the meeting of parliament. FAST had won the court challenges to abide by the rule of law. Yesterday the Court issued a declaration for the parliament to open for the swearing in ceremony this morning.

Nothing short of a bloodless coup, if the meeting of parliament proceeded, Samoa could have elected its first female Prime Minister in Fiame Naomi Mataafa and ending the HRPP 38 year rule, 22 years of which were under the caretaker Prime Minister.

More details later