Naomi Mataʻafa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from )


Naomi Mataʻafa
Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa (cropped).jpg
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa in 2021
7th Prime Minister of Samoa
Assumed office
24 May 2021[a]
O le Ao o le MaloTuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II
DeputyTuala Iosefo Ponifasio
Preceded byTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Leader of Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
Assumed office
9 March 2021
DeputyLaauli Leuatea Polataivao
Preceded byLaauli Leuatea Polataivao
Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa
In office
19 March 2016 – 11 September 2020
Prime MinisterTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Preceded byFonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Succeeded byTuala Iosefo Ponifasio (2021)
Other offices held
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
Assumed office
3 June 2021
Preceded byToeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster[b]
In office
19 March 2016 – 11 September 2020
Prime MinisterTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Preceded byFaamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii
Succeeded byTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Deputy Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party
In office
6 March 2016 – 11 September 2020
LeaderTuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Preceded byFonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Succeeded byFonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Minister of Justice
In office
21 March 2011 – 18 March 2016
Prime MinisterTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Preceded byUnasa Mesi Galo
Succeeded byFaaolesa Katopau Ainuu
Minister of Women, Community and Social Development
In office
24 April 2006 – 21 March 2011
Prime MinisterTuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Preceded byTuala Ainiu Iusitino
Succeeded byTolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua
Minister of Education
In office
15 May 1991 – 24 April 2006
Prime MinisterTofilau Eti Alesana
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Succeeded byToomata Alapati Poese
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Lotofaga
Assumed office
22 February 1985
Preceded byAsiasiau Sausoo
Personal details
Born (1957-04-29) 29 April 1957 (age 64)
Political partyFaʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (2021–present)
Other political
affiliations
Human Rights Protection Party (before 2020)
Independent (2020–2021)
RelativesMataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II (father)
Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa (mother)
EducationVictoria University of Wellington
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa speaking at the Advancing Gender Justice Programme BRIDGE training workshop, in Samoa, 19 January 2014
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (standing, far left) at a meeting of Pacific Islands leaders with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (center), in Samoa, 26 July 2008

Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (born 29 April 1957)[1] is a Samoan politician and High Chiefess (matai) who has served as the seventh prime minister of Samoa since May 2021.[2][3] She is the leader of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party and is the first woman to hold the offices of cabinet minister, deputy prime minister, and prime minister in Samoa. She is also the first prime minister to not be a member of the Human Rights Protection Party since 1982.[4]

Mataʻafa won a majority in the 2021 election, but defeated prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi refused to leave office, leading to the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis. The crisis was resolved by Samoa's Court of Appeal on 23 July 2021, which ruled that Mataʻafa had been prime minister since 24 May.[5][6][7]

Career[]

Mataʻafa was educated at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.[8] She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 1985 election,[9] representing the constituency of Lotofaga previously held by her mother. She has been re-elected in every election since, and is one of the longest-serving members of Parliament.[10] On 15 May 1991 she was appointed Minister of Education, becoming Samoa's first female Cabinet Minister.[11] She held that position until 2006, when she was appointed as Minister of Women, Community & Social Development.[9][12] From 2011 to 2016 she served as Minister of Justice.[10]

In March 2016, Mataʻafa was elected deputy leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, defeating Faumuina Tiatia Liuga in a caucus vote.[13] On 19 March 2016, she was sworn in as Samoa's first female deputy prime minister.[14] She was also appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.[15]

On 10 September 2020, Mataʻafa was publicly rebuked by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi after announcing that she would follow the wishes of her constituency and vote against the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill, Land and Titles Bill, and Judicature Bill.[16] On 11 September 2020 she resigned from Cabinet.[17][18] Following her resignation she was invited by the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party to become its leader. She declined as she wished to complete the parliamentary term.[19] On 13 January 2021, Mataʻafa announced that she would be joining FAST after Parliament has risen for the election.[20][21] In March 2021 Mataʻafa was elected to lead FAST[22]

Mataʻafa has represented Samoa on the executive board of UNESCO. From 2006 to 2012 she served as Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the University of the South Pacific. She is currently President of the Samoa National Council of Women.[10]

In 2018 while Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, she launched the Women in Climate Change Initiative (WiCC) of which she is the Patron.[23]

2021 Samoan general election[]

During the 2021 general election held on 9 April 2021, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa was re-elected to her Lotofaga seat unopposed.[24] Preliminary results from the general election indicated that FAST had secured 23 seats, HRPP 24 and Tautua Samoa and an Independent both winning one seat. An accounting error was detected in the Vaimauga No. 2 constituency, which had incorrectly displayed the Tautua Samoa candidate leading ahead of the HRPP candidate. This subsequently showed the results for FAST and the HRPP tied with 25 seats each, and first term Independent MP Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio holding the balance of power.[25] Official results still showed FAST and the HRPP tied.[26]

After the election, FAST negotiated with Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio about him either entering a coalition with FAST or joining the party altogether. Ponifasio agreed to join FAST on 21 April giving FAST 26 seats. However, a day before Ponifasio's announcement, the Samoan Electoral Commission announced that the 10% female quota in parliament had not been met. An extra seat was added in parliament going to the HRPP, resulting in a hung parliament with both FAST and the HRPP deadlocked with 26 seats each.[27] FAST decided to challenge the decision in court.[28] On 3 May, Fiamē Naomi urged prime minister Tuilaepa to concede defeat.[29]

On the evening of 4 May 2021, O le Ao Mamalu o le Malo (Head of State) Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II announced that new elections would take place on 21 May to resolve the deadlock. Fiamē and FAST opposed fresh elections, stating that the decision "pre-empts" the Supreme Court ruling on the extra parliamentary seat scheduled for 5 May.[30] She has also said that the O le Ao o le Malo's call was "unconstitutional" as all options to break the deadlock had yet not been exhausted. On 5 May, Fiamē announced that FAST would challenge the decision in court.[31]

On 17 May, the Supreme Court of Samoa ruled that the creation of a new seat was unconstitutional, giving FAST a majority in parliament.[32][33][34] They subsequently overturned the voiding of the 9 April election results and declared that the call for a new election had no legal authority, and ordered parliament to convene within 45 days of the original polling. Thus paving way for FAST to form a new government and for Fiamē to assume the prime ministership.[35][36][37][38]

From 24 May to 23 July 2021, her position as prime minister had been disputed by Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi who refused to concede power and locked her out along with her party's MPs from entering the legislative building, despite the ruling of the Supreme Court of Samoa. Her party denounced the move as a "coup".[39][40] In a tent in parliament's gardens, Mata’afa was sworn into office as Samoa's first female prime minister.[41] The Federated States of Micronesia became the first country to recognize her as the legitimate Prime Minister of Samoa.[39] Tuilaepa accused Mata'afa of treason.[42]

On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[5] Three days later on the 26 July, Tuilaepa conceded defeat, ending the constitutional crisis.[43]

Prime minister (2021–present)[]

The FAST administration moved into the government offices on 26 July 2021.[44] Fiamē and her cabinet immediately began to start implementing a budget that was one month overdue of the fiscal year.[45] Fiamē is Samoa’s first female prime minister, and is also the nation’s first head of government to not be a member of the HRPP since Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi left office in 1982. She is also the second woman to lead a pacific island country after former president of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine.[46] She also assumed the ministerial portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources and Environment.[47]

Before formally assuming office, Mataʻafa announced that she would scrap the previous government’s plans for the construction of a new Chinese funded port. She stated that this project was not needed for Samoa, and that it would risk racking up the country’s debt. She later reaffirmed this decision once she took office.[48]

Shortly after, Opposition Leader Tuila'epa called for Chief Justice Perese and all other Supreme Court justices to resign.[49] This was due to the opinion held by Tuila'epa and the HRPP that the court decision to recognise FAST as the legitimate government was ‘unconstitutional’. The HRPP subsequently organised protests against the judiciary.[50] Mataʻafa commented that the issue of the constitutional crisis was not the judiciary’s decision, but rather Tuila'epa’s unwillingness to leave office.[51]

On 6 August 2021, Mataʻafa had reportedly put Attorney General Savalenoa Mareva Betham Annandale on notice.[52] On 21 August, Mata’afa announced that the Attorney General along with the clerk of the legislative assembly, Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei would be suspended for two weeks.[53][54] On 2 September, she announced that Savalenoa would be dismissed effective immediately, citing her failure to defend the judiciary from post election attacks. Fiamē then advised the head of state to appoint as Savalenoa’s replacement.[55][56] The clerk of the legislative assembly was suspended for an additional two weeks.[57] Tiatia was sacked on 17 September.[58]

On 3 September, cabinet approved Fiamē’s request to establish the position of the ‘Chief of Staff’ within the ministry of the prime minister.[59]

Awards[]

In 2017, Mataʻafa was awarded the Stars of Oceania Individual's Award.[60] In December 2018 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of the South Pacific.[61] As Minister of Natural Resources and Environment she was awarded the Ocean Stewardship Award in 2017 by Conservation International and the Ocean Health Index for her role in ushering in Samoa's Ocean Strategy.[62]

Family[]

Fiamē is the daughter of Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II, a paramount chief and the first Prime Minister of Samoa. Her mother, Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa, was a diplomat, educator and politician.[11] Her maternal grandfather, Le Mamea Matatumua Ata was one of the framers of the Samoan constitution.[63] After her father's death in 1975, she was anointed as his successor to one of his chiefly titles, Fiamē from Lotofaga.[64]

She was studying at university in New Zealand when she was recalled by her ʻaiga (extended family) to take up one of her father's matai titles, Fiamē, from Lotofaga.[8]

Her mother, Laulu Fetaui, had entered parliament in 1975 from the constituency of Lotofaga, following her husband's death. On Laulu Fetaui's retirement from politics Fiamē Naomi contested the seat and was elected.[63]

Mataʻafa is a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Lotofaga.[65]

As the holder of the Fiamē title, she is the ranking alii (“Sa’o Faapito”) or chief of Lotofaga and head of Sā Levalasi, one of the prominent political clans of Samoa which is also custodian of the Mataʻafa title, one of the four pre-eminent Tama-a-Aiga titles of Samoa.

Notes[]

  1. ^ Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021
  2. ^ Disputed with Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi

References[]

  1. ^ "F.A.S.T. celebrates Fiame's birthday". Samoa Observer. 1 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata'afa". Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  3. ^ "THE HON FIAMÈ NAOMI MATA'AFA". Pacific Islands Forum. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Samoa's first female leader has made history — now she faces a challenging future at home and abroad". The Conversation. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  6. ^ Faa, Marian; Fennell, Jordan (23 July 2021). "Samoa welcomes first female Prime Minister following court ruling, but not without challenges". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Samoa's political crisis ends and first female prime minister installed after court ruling". The Guardian. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa". RNZ. 1 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "FIAME Naomi". Legislative Assembly of Samoa. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hon Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa". New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "First woman in Cabinet". Canberra Times. 16 May 1991. p. 7. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Five new faces in new Samoa cabinet". RNZ. 24 April 2006. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  13. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia (6 March 2016). "Fiame topples Faumuina, elected Deputy Leader". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Samoa swears in first female deputy PM". New Zealand Herald. 19 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Former Samoa deputy PM left out of cabinet". RNZ. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  16. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (10 September 2020). "P.M. Tuilaepa rebukes Fiame for opposing L.T.C. Bills". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  17. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (11 September 2020). "Deputy P.M. Fiame resigns from Cabinet". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Samoa's deputy prime minister quits cabinet over controversial bills". RNZ. 11 September 2020. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  19. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (13 September 2020). "Fiame says she won't join another party". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Samoa's former Deputy PM to join new political party". RNZ. 13 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  21. ^ Soli Wilson (12 January 2021). "Fiame, F.A.S.T. to make it official". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Fiame to lead Samoa's FAST Party". RNZ. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Women in Climate Change Network launched". 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Samoa's HRPP party faces stiff challenge as general voting begins". RNZ. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Accounting error in Samoa election has top parties tied again". RNZ. 11 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Samoa election: Official results show top parties still tied". Stuff. 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Fiame Confirms Tuala's Decision to Join FAST". Samoa Global News. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Samoa election 2021: still no clear winner despite creation of new seat". The Guardian. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Samoa caretaker PM urged to concede defeat". RNZ. 3 May 2021. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  30. ^ "H.O.S. declares April election void". Samoa Observer. 4 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  31. ^ "More twists in Samoa election saga, with more court action likely". RNZ. 5 May 2021. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  32. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (17 May 2021). "F.A.S.T. wins case, majority". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Extra seat thrown out: FAST win Samoa election". RNZ. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  34. ^ Marieta H Ilalio (17 May 2021). "Additional Parliamentary Seat Declared "Unconstitutional and Void"". Samoa Global News. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  35. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (17 May 2021). "Court overrules fresh elections". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Samoa court dismisses call for second election". RNZ. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Samoa court dismisses call for second election, clearing path for a female PM". Stuff. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  38. ^ "The woman who unseated Samoa's prime minister of 20 years". BBC. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "Samoa incumbent leader rejects first female Prime Minister's swearing in as 'treason'". RNZ. 24 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  40. ^ "How Samoa's political crisis unfolded". Reuters. 24 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  41. ^ "Samoa's first female PM locked out of parliament by losing opponent". BBC.com. 24 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  42. ^ Jackson, Lagipoiva Cherelle (24 May 2021). "Accusations of treason as Samoan MPs hold swearing-in ceremony outside parliament and declare new PM". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Samoa's rightful government takes office at last". The Economist. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  44. ^ "F.A.S.T. Government moves into office". Samoa Observer. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  45. ^ "Budget new Govt.'s first priority". Samoa Observer. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  46. ^ "'Women have not been able to hold these positions': Samoa's first female PM gets down to the job". The Guardian. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  47. ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  48. ^ "Samoa's new leader confirms scrapping of China-funded port". Reuters. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  49. ^ "Tuilaepa calls for C.J., Judges' resignation". Samoa Observer. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  50. ^ "H.R.P.P. convoy underway". Samoa Observer. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  51. ^ "Tuilaepa refuses to vacate office: P.M. Fiame". Samoa Observer. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  52. ^ "Fiame puts A.G. on notice". Samoa Observer. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  53. ^ "Attorney General, Legislative Clerk suspended". Samoa Observer. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  54. ^ "SUSPENDED: Attorney General & Clerk of the House". Talamua Online. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  55. ^ "Attorney General sacked". Samoan Observer. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  56. ^ "DISMISSED: Attorney General Savalenoa Mareva Annandale". Talamua online. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Legislative Clerk's suspension extended". Samoa Observer. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  58. ^ "Clerk of Legislative Assembly sacked". Samoa Observer. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Prime Minister installs Chief of Staff". Samoa Observer. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  60. ^ "Deputy P.M. honoured". samoa Observer. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  61. ^ "Acting P.M. to be awarded Doctor of Letters". Samoa Observer. 5 December 2018. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  62. ^ "Ocean championships awarded". Samoa Observer. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  63. ^ Jump up to: a b "Fiame Naomi Mata'afa – A legacy of women leadership". Pacific Women in Politics. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  64. ^ Julia Hollingsworth (30 May 2021). "The incredible rise of Samoa's first female Prime Minister-elect, and the man still standing in her way". CNN. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  65. ^ "Deputy Prime Minister – Sui Palemia". Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Prime Minister of Samoa
2021–present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2021–present
Preceded by
Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa
2016–2020
Succeeded by
Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio
Preceded by
Unasa Mesi Galo
Minister of Justice
2011–2016
Succeeded by
Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu
Preceded by
Tuala Ainiu Iusitino
Minister of Women, Community and Social Development
2006–2011
Succeeded by
Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua
Party political offices
Preceded by
Laauli Leuatea Polataivao
Leader of Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
2021–present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Deputy Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party
2016–2020
Succeeded by
Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo
Retrieved from ""