By Staff Writer
The ruling FAST and HRPP political parties agreed to set aside their differences to pave the way back to peace and harmony in the aftermath of the April 2021 general elections turmoil and uncertainties in Samoa.
The need for unity was set out in a document signed by both parties and presented to the court as a request to discontinue proceedings of a Contempt of Court complaint filed by FAST against the HRPP.
The formal understanding between both sides was described in court as ‘The Harmony Agreement’ but it did not stop proceedings as requested.
The agreement did carry a lot of influence in the Contempt of Court ruling not handing out any penalties to the three people found guilty. (see other story)
Details of agreement were set out in the court ruling as follows :
“The Hon Fiame Mataafa MP, in her own capacity and as leader of Fa’atuatua I Le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi and the Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi MP, in his own capacity and as leader of the Human Rights Protection Party have agreed, with the permission of the Supreme Court, to discontinue the contempt proceedings between them.
The two Hon Leaders have engaged in thorough discussion following the aftermath of the April 2021 General Election and the consequent court proceedings and the wider challenges that Samoa now faces. They have formed the common view that it is now necessary:
– to ensure and secure political and social stability for the benefit of all people and residents of Samoa;
– to promote peace and harmony for the public of Samoa, which is the prevailing public interest in light of the months of uncertainty and disruption to the conduct of governance after the general elections
in April 2021;
– to face the current challenges to Samoa in terms of the global pandemic brought upon by Covid-19 and the effect on the environment caused by climate change, as a nation united under
God; and
– to recognise that Samoa is a small country with limited resources and therefore particularly vulnerable during times of economic, political and social instability and, further, that Samoa has a unique culture where everyone is connected one way or another either through family ties or matai titles;
– to restore public confidence in all the democratic institutions upon which our government and society are founded;
– to restore and acknowledge the traditional honor and dignity belonging to all those who lead the country, from the heart of each family, to the villages, districts and islands; and
– in doing so seek to respect to the overarching spiritual leadership of the various denominations of our Christian churches for the glory of God.
They have, therefore, agreed that, rather than cause further disagreement and disharmony, they discontinue the contempt proceedings and, further: to emphasise and uphold their shared respect, and their support for all Samoa to respect, for the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the judiciary of Samoa; and
to record their agreement to move forward under the Constitution, with which Samoa is blessed and under which the courts of Samoa were able to resolve the unprecedented disagreements of the past year.”