In an unprecedented political development, Samoa's prime minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata'afa was sworn in outside the locked parliament building in Apia on Monday, after the caretaker government refused to convene parliament to allow a transition of power. The ad hoc ceremony, held under a tent, marked a dramatic escalation in the country's post-election deadlock.
Fiame, leader of the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, took the oath of office alongside other FAST MPs after being locked out of Parliament House. The move followed a Supreme Court order on Sunday directing parliament to convene on Monday to swear in the new government, ending weeks of legal and constitutional manoeuvring after the April election resulted in a tie between FAST and the long-ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).
The election, the closest in Samoa's history, initially gave both parties 25 seats, but an independent MP's support gave FAST a majority. HRPP then attempted to use a gender quota to appoint an additional female MP, boosting its numbers to 26, but the Supreme Court ruled this improper last week, clearing the way for a FAST victory.
Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has led Samoa for 22 years, denounced Fiame's actions as 'treason and the highest form of illegal conduct'. He accused FAST of 'breaking and entering' and desecrating parliament grounds. Meanwhile, Fiame urged the clerk of the house to open the doors, saying: 'We need brave Samoans right now, return the power to the hands of the people.'
Samoa's chief justice and police commissioner, who play roles in swearing-in ceremonies, were also locked out of parliament. Fiame told supporters: 'We will continue to sit here in the hallowed grounds of parliament that belongs to our people. There will be a time, when we will meet again, inside that house.'
