Samoa talks fail to resolve impasse

via RNZ Pacific 

Samoa's prime minister elect, FAST party leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says negotiations remain at an impasse between her party and the rival HRPP.

The parties met yesterday in Apia to try and resolve the stalemate resulting from the 9 April election.

In a statement last night, Fiame maintained that FAST held the majority of 26 seats to the HRPP's 25.

She said these FAST members had been sworn in, with a cabinet appointed and speaker and deputy chosen.

The HRPP leader, caretaker prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi continued to claim the result was not clear because 10 percent of 51 members or six women representatives in the House had not been achieved.

“Now Tuilaepa is singing about the rule of law when he had been contemptuous and ridiculed the Judiciary in his and the caretaker governments actions to block and delay the formation of a new government,” said Fiamē. She again asked for the country’s continuing support and prayers and for their patience as “it may take time to amicably resolve the current impasse so as to serve the best interests of the Samoan people, our democracy and the rule of law.”

But Fiame said last week's Court of Appeal decision was not retrospective and could only apply to future elections as the writ of appointment of the elected members was given by the Head of State on 16 April 2021.

Fiame said she was also seeking the continuing support and prayers of the churches and the nation as the political leaders look to amicably resolve the current impasse.

#Watch Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's statement in her live address last night 

.

* Cover image photo credit to Akira Kodaka & AP