Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has dismissed calls from Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to resign ahead of a no-confidence vote scheduled for Tuesday.
In a public statement on Saturday, Fiame stated unequivocally, “I will not resign.” She criticized Tuilaepa’s approach, urging him to address his concerns through parliamentary procedures rather than media outlets.
“If Tuilaepa truly believes in democracy and the Constitution, then he should bring this issue to Parliament instead of making noise in the media,” she said.
Tuilaepa, who leads the opposition, has been vocal in demanding Fiame’s resignation prior to the upcoming parliamentary session. He contends that stepping down would be in the nation’s best interest.
The political tension arises as the government faces internal challenges. In January 2025, Fiame dismissed Party Chairman La’auli Leuatea Polataivao from the cabinet, leading to her removal from the FAST party.
Despite this, she and four other ousted ministers have rejected the expulsion as unlawful, maintaining their affiliation with FAST.
As the no-confidence vote approaches, the Prime Minister remains steadfast, emphasizing her commitment to her elected role and urging opposition leaders to utilize formal parliamentary channels for their grievances
