Fast Party turmoil: Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa ousted amid Cabinet reshuffle

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. Photo / Myka Stanley

By RNZ

Samoa’s political turmoil continues after Fast chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt on Wednesday announced the removal of the Prime Minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.

Twenty party members have signed for the removal of Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and five others, including Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio and two original members.

It follows Fiame recently sacking members of her Cabinet, including La’auli, who is facing criminal charges. Four new Cabinet ministers were sworn into their new roles on Wednesday.

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

Local media reports had suggested members of the Fast Party had called for her removal as Prime Minister.

“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.

– RNZ