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Fiame reminds FAST it can remove her as leader but not as PM

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa

Apia, SAMOA — With Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa’s recent sacking of members of her Cabinet, including La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, who is facing criminal charges, four new Cabinet ministers were sworn into their new roles on Wednesday.

FAST chairman La'auli announced the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party on Wednesday.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Fiame said she made the changes as she needed a good Cabinet.

The new Cabinets Ministers and their roles are:

  • •          Afioga iā Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Labor.
  • •          Afioga iā Laga'aia Ti'aitu'au Tufuga , Minister of Women, Community, and Social Development
  • •          Tofā iā Mau'u Siaosi Pu'epu'emai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology portfolio.
  • •          Tofā iā Niu'ava Eti Malolo, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries

Now, 20 party members have signed for the removal of Fiame and five others, including Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio and two original members.

"I have the role as prime minister to make the decision on the Parliament of Samoa," Fiame told reporters. "It is also the Parliament of Samoa who can make the decision on whether or not I stay as prime minister or step down."

She said the decisions made by members of the party were their own decision, noting that they could remove her as leader of FAST but not as prime minister.

Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on January 21.