Martha Taumata Faavae
A solution that would maintain the image of Samoa as a peaceful country should be the priority for both political parties.
This is the advice offered by the contingent of alii and faipule of the Tuamasaga District in a gathering of orators and chiefs of Tumua( Upolu) and Pule ( Savaii) at Mulinu’u last week.
The leader of the Human Rights Protection Party HRRP who is also the caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi organised the traditional leadership in search of a solution to the current political impasse.
The traditional political division of Samoa was well established before the arrival of the Europeans who introduced the current western democratic system into the country.
The political deadlock after the general election in April this year has caused the Prime Minister to reach out to the respected wisdom of the chiefs and orators of the country.
This is the traditional practice when matters of great consequence is not reached by consensus for it is cultural conventions that solutions must come from within.
A leading orator of the Tuamasaga District Maulolo Tavita Amosa in an interview with Newsline said the message their district was trying to put across was that peace in the country must come above everything else and whatever decision the court handed out that must be respected.
“If it’s a decision for the government and the election petitions which are now before the court to continue then that must be carried out,” Maulolo said.
“ If it’s a decision that would cause asking the country again for their vote then that should also be carried out.”
Maulolo said that the people of Tuamasaga are not keen on too many court cases for that would result in many more problems.
“We want the holding of talks to be the selected option,” he emphasized.
It is also their advice to the Prime Minister to hold discussions with Fiame Naomi Mataafa ( leader of the FAST Party).
Maulolo urged the PM to call on Fiame and hold discussion with her in keep with cultural traditions.
Representatives of Savaii (Pule) on the other hand emphasised their confidence in the Human Rights Protection Party HRPP and would like to see them continue in government.
They also supported the number of women members in Parliament to be six not five and for another general elections to be called to end the political stalemate.
Members of the FAST Party were not present at the meeting although they were invited.
