Mata’afa has won the April election and promised to scrap China-backed projects, which she claimed had become a liability for the country, but incumbent Malielegaoi, whom China favoured, had refused to vacate the office.
Samoa’s first elected female Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, was earlier locked out of the parliament and not allowed to take an oath by the incumbent Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, is all set to enter the Office on Tuesday (July 27).
Malielegaoi, who has been the prime minister since 1998, refused to resign after losing the April 9 election by one seat.
Mata’afa is the leader of the FAST party, and Malielegaoi is the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).
The FAST led coalition won 26 of the parliament’s 51 seats, but HRPP also claims to have won 26 seats.
Malielegaoi’s party has been in power for four decades.
Samoa, a country with two major islands, with a total population of about two lacs, has been peaceful for years.
The speaker of the parliament has sided with the incumbent Prime Minister Malielegaoi.
According to Samoa's constitution, the new prime minister has to take an oath within 45 days.
Mata’afa took oath on May 24 in a tent erected outside the parliament building. On Monday (July 26), the country’s top court ruled in favour of Mata’afa.
Both New Zealand and Australia have supported Mata’afa and requested Malielegaoi to follow the law.
Mata’afa formed her party, FAST, last year to contest polls.
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