Samoa election: Supreme Court overturns shock proclamation suspending parliament

Fiame Naomi Mataafa, leader of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast) party. Photo / Tipi Autagavaia, RNZ Pacific

By RNZ

Samoa's Supreme Court has overturned the Head of State's proclamation to suspend Parliament's scheduled swearing-in tomorrow.

Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II last night suspended Parliament "until such time as to be announced and for reasons that I will make known in due course" in a new edict which voided his previous one calling Parliament to convene on Monday.

However, the court called the decision by the Head of State "unlawful", paving the way for Parliament to convene tomorrow as previously scheduled.

The newcomer Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa (Fast) party, which had expected to declare a majority of seats at Monday's sitting of Samoa's 17th Parliament, had its legal challenge to the proclamation heard in the Supreme Court chambers in Apia this morning.

The court found in favour of Fast.

The decision was reached by Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson and Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren.

Head of State goes home

Meanwhile, in another twist to yesterday's proclamation, the Head of State has departed from his official residence in Apia's Vailele and returned to his village of Matautu-Falelatai on Upolu's south-west coast.

The move has included a police guard, reportedly for his safety.

Last week, a busload of matai from the village arrived at his residence in the capital to offer their support after some threats had been made against him on social media.

RNZ Pacific correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said the Tuimaleali'ifano left Vailele yesterday after making the latest proclamation.

"He's now there and operating from his village of Matautu-Falelatai. And now you see police officers are there protecting him."

The Head of States' village is nearly two hours from the capital, Apia.