Tuilaepa reminds Head of State that he is still the ‘Prime Minister’

The Head of State calling for fresh elections on 21 May 2021.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 29 MAY 2021: The Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has reminded the Head of State, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi 11 that Samoa has only one Prime Minister.

In a brief letter to the Head of State, dated 28 May 2021, he said “only you can swear in a Prime Minister and there is only one Prime Minister of Samoa.”

Tuilaepa’s letter warned of the stance taken by the Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party leader  Fiamē Naomi Mataafa asking for a meeting with the Head of State.

On Thursday, 27 May 2021, Fiamē wrote to the Head of State asking for a meeting with him and discuss the transition of the new Government.

She also reminded him that his Office, that is independent from the caretaker government that no longer has the support of the country and without the power as they previously had, should perform its duties for the good of the country.

“E tatalo atu lau Afioga ina ia fatino tiute ma matafaioi o lou ofisa mapu’epu’e mo le manuia o tagata Samoa, e tutoatasi mai le Malo le Tumau, ua le toe iai le lagolago  a le atunu’u ma ua ave’esea matafaioi  po’o se pule sa iai.”

Tuilaepa was copied Fiamē’s letter and in turn Tuilaepa attached a brief letter of his own to Fiamē’s letter for the Head of State.

In that letter Tuilaepa warned the HOS that Fiame’s letter was a direct “instruction that is disrespectful and illegal.”

“O le fa’atonuga lea a Fiame ua avatu i lau Afioga, o se faatonuga e le faaaloalo toe solitulafono. Na o lau Afioga e faatautoina le Palemia, ma na o le tasi le Palemia o lo’o iai nei.”

It is now 8 weeks since the general election on the 9 April 2021 and the 45 days mandated by the Constitution to convene Parliament and swear-in all Members of Parliament ended on Monday 24 May 2021.

When the Head of Sate announced to suspend the convening of parliament, the former Speaker also put out his own notice saying the same thing.

The Supreme Court declared on Sunday 23 May that the public declarations are unlawful and made way for Parliament convene on Monday 24 May as previously announced.

However, when Fiamē and 25 of the FAST MPs arrived to be sworn in, the parliament chambers were locked under police guard, the Head of State did not attend and the Clerk of Legislative assembly stated that his hands were tied.

At 5.00pm the same evening, FAST used the principles of necessity to swear in a Speaker, all the members in attendance, as well as Fiamē as the Prime Minister and her Cabinet.  The swearing in ceremony was held under a tent in-front of the Parliament building evening as the Parliament building was still locked and guarded by police.

Now Fiamē has reached out to the HOS for a meeting but Tuilaepa said its disrespectful and illegal.