PM Retaliates – Sacks 13 Associate Ministers

Apia, Samoa – 17 January 2025 – Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has terminated 13 Associate Ministers who signed a letter of no confidence in her leadership.

On Monday this week, Fiame sacked three of her Cabinet ministers who no longer had confidence in her leadership.

On Wednesday evening, the FAST Party resolved to expel Fiame, the Deputy Prime Minister and four other Cabinet Ministers as members of the party.

Fiame became the very first FAST Party Prime Minister in July 2021 after the April general elections and the constitutional impasse that followed.

She currently holds the support of 15 MPs against 20 who sacked her as party leader on Wednesday this week. Two of the former Associate Ministers who did not sign the letter of no confidence, were elevated as Cabinet Ministers and were sworn in on Wednesday this week.

They were former Associate Ministers for the Olo Fiti Vaai, the Minister of Works, who was among the four Cabinet Ministers the Party terminated as a FAST Party members on its Wednesday meeting.

In a media statement today, the Prime Minister said the termination of the Associate Ministers “emanates from the issue of confidence in the Prime Minister to continue to work with the Associate Ministers, and the Associate Ministers’ expression of no confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.”

These include:
i. Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa, Associate Minister Commerce, Industry and Labour.
ii. Fuiono Tenina Crichton, Associate Minister Communications and Information
Technology.
iii. Maiava Fuimaono Tito Asafo, Associate Minister Agriculture and Fisheries.
iv. Seuamuli Fasi Toma, Associate Minister Women, Community and Social
Development.
v. Hon. Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota, Associate Minister Police, Prisons and Corrections.
vi. Agaseata Valelilo Tanuvasa Peto, Associate Minister Education and Culture.
vii. Tea Tooala Peato, Associate Minister Health.
viii. Magele Sekati Fiaui, Associate Minister of Finance, initially appointed as Associate
Minister of Communication and Information Technology.
ix. Fo’isala Lilo Tu’u Ioane, Associate Minister Health.
x. Fesola’i Apulu Tusiupu Tuigamala, Associate Minister Justice and Courts
Administration.
xi. Ale Vena Ale, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
xii. Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
xiii. Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale, Associate Minister Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Arm of Government continue under the leadership of the Prime Minister – Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, and Cabinet,” said the statement.
“The issue of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership rests with Parliament. It is not a responsibility of a political party.”