Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist

Samoa is facing a political crisis due to deep divisions within government factions.

The termination of Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, who is facing several criminal charges, from the Cabinet and the removal of several ministers by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has intensified these issues.

Laauli, the founder and chairman of the ruling FAST party, now confronts legal battles as parliament reconvenes on 25 February.

The political saga in Apia has concerned the Samoan diaspora in New Zealand, who helda prayer gathering in Auckland last week seeking divine intervention for a resolution.

Who is involved

Prime Minister Fiame leads a faction of 15 MPs, including notable figures like Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

The opposing FAST party faction, led by Laauli consists of 20 MPs, including Speaker Papalii Li'o oloipola Ta'eu Masipa'u.

The long-serving opposition leader, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heads the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).

In 2021, Laauli stepped aside to allow Fiame to lead the FAST party during the elections.

Both FAST and HRPP ended with 25 candidates each, which prompted independent MP Ponifasio, now the Deputy Prime Minister, to become a pivotal figure by aligning with FAST, resultig in Fiame becoming Samoa's first female Prime Minsister.

However, tension had arisen within FAST, particularly among Laauli's supporters, who deeply feel the repercussions of this shift, considering it a departure from the challenges they collectively faced when Laauli initially founded FAST party.

What is the situation now

Less than a week after his termination from Cabinet, FAST party caucus met and removed Fiame as the leader and elected Laauli as the leader.

Laauli said the decision to remove Fiame and the other five MPs, was not his, but the party's.

"Our decision to remove the six members was rooted in our party rules and policies, reflecting the lack of confidence the majority of our members had in them."

With ongoing parliamentary sessions, uncertainty looms over potential snap elections.

Fiame has indicated that if a no-confidence vote arises, she would recommend dissolving parliament.

What happens next

With the dismissal of 13 associate ministers, Fiame needs to appoint new ministers to push forward legislation.

FAST insists that lawmakers should belong to a recognised party, while Fiame's faction disputes this claim.

Tuila'epa highlighted the state of confusion: "It is not very clear now; we have a minority government."

Concerns are growing about deepening divisions, which could lead to a no-confidence motion needing 27 votes to pass, potentially allowing Fiame to request the Head of State to dissolve parliament.

Laauli has stated they do not want a snap election.

What Samoans have to say

Political science expert Nanai Iati Iati believes Fiame has been consistent in her political approach.

"She transitioned from HRPP due to her disagreement with three bills being debated at the time, and she has shown support for the rule of law," he said.

"As Prime Minister, she has maintained the same stance."

He said that healing from this division will be challenging given the factions that have emerged.

Former Manu Samoa player and lawyer Eliota Sapolu, in his Plus64 podcast, commented on the ongoing challenges in Samoa's political landscape.

"Many people thought now that FAST is in, corruption is over because HRPP is out," he said.

"But now many are seeing the levels and the depths to which the HRPP roots go.

"They have consolidated their power over two decades through various institutions, including the military and the police."

"This is the fight. If ever there was a fight against corruption and for change, this is the real battle,"he added.

Amidst the political turmoil, there has been an increase in fake social media pages spreading false reports about the turn of events between FAST and HRPP supporters, putting the blame on the Samoan diaspora for causing all the chaos

But Samoan-born Menorah Hedoriah Tuilaepa, who was born in Samoa and now lives in New Zealand with her siblings for a better life and education, said there has been an overwhelming narrative suggesting that FAST was solely elected by the diaspora.

"In my opinion, this undermines the voices and agency of Samoans living in Samoa who voted for that government," she said.

"It perpetuates the notion that only overseas voters made this decision, while locals in Samoa are now suffering the consequences."

She said there was no way the diaspora could have voted the FAST government into power.

"Even if the diaspora influenced the election, as we often support our families financially, it does not negate the agency of those in Samoa who physically voted, as evidenced by the patterns we saw in Savaii.".

Timeline of events

• 2 January: Laauli announced through a live social media update that the police had summoned him regarding new evidence against him.
• 3 January: Police officially filed ten charges stemming from an unresolved hit-and-run case in Vailele from 2021 that resulted in the death of a young university student. The Office of the Prime Minister released a statement on Facebook confirming that Laauli would face charges. "The prosecution of a Cabinet Minister is a serious issue with implications for the government," the Prime Minister said.
• 6 January: Fiame met with Laauli and issued an ultimatum for him to resign or step down.
• 9 January: Rumors escalated when a viral Facebook post falsely claimed that Laauli had been fired. He responded by denying these claims and asserting that he had not been dismissed nor was he planning to resign.
• 10 January: Fiame announced Laauli's termination under Section 33(3)(b) of the Constitution, indicating that a minister's position becomes vacant if they remain outside Samoa without written permission from the Head of State, based on the Prime Minister's advice.
• 11 January: Laauli announced his resignation during a live social media broadcast acknowledging the Prime Minister's directive about his termination.
• 13 January: The FAST Party caucus met to discuss the crisis, with only 18 out of 35 members in attendance. Notably, Fiame and her supporters were absent.
• 14 January: Fiame hosted a press conference where she announced the dismissal of three Cabinet ministers.
• 15 January: Four new ministers were sworn in, with Fiame citing constitutional provisions for these appointments. Meanwhile, Laauli announced the removal of six FAST members, including Fiame, following the party's internal rules, labeling the action as a necessary response to a loss of trust among the majority.
• 16 January: FAST party underwent structural changes. Laauli was elected as their new leader, Leota Laki Sio was appointed as deputy leader, and Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo took the role of deputy chairman.
• 17 January: Fiame released a statement in accordance with section 3(b) of the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries Act 1988, stating that 13 appointments as associate ministers for MP were terminated immediately. Local media reported that Fiame and Tuilaepa held private discussions at the Legislative Assembly Office before attending a Parliamentary Commission meeting with Speaker Papalii Lio Masipau.
• 21 January: Parliament convened for its first parliamentary meeting. Fiame told the House that if a vote of no confidence is tabled against her, she will advise the Head of State to dissolve parliament.

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