Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Parliament Speaker, Papalii Lio Taeu Masipau have assured the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi 11 that peace and calm will prevail despite the current political friction between the government and the Human Rights Political Party(HRPP).
The Prime Minister and Speaker met with the Head of State and the Member of the Council of deputies this afternoon and gave their assurances following this mornings’ events at parliament grounds.
Both the Head of State and the Member of the Council of Deputies came down to parliament this morning and shortly after, the Prime Minister moved a motion for parliament to end an hour early due “to continuing disruptions to Parliament by the HRPP party members.”
Mata’afa said the Head of State was concerned about the tension between the police and HRPP members regarding the security of parliament on the orders by the Speaker.
“But I gave the assurance that there is nothing to be concerned about as these are just issues between the political parties but everything is protected by the rule of law,” the Prime Minister said after the meeting.
“His main concern is to keep calm the peace throughout the country and we are holding onto that as well,” said Mata’afa
“There is nothing happening as its issues between the political parties that we have faced over the last four months and we all hope there will soon find a resolution to all these under the protection of the rule of law.”
Also raised was the issue of the swearing in of the HRPP members. “There are reasons which have clearly been laid out in written communications already publicized,” said Mata’afa.
According to the Speaker, the concern was that police were moving to implement the law (against HRPP members) this morning but the objective was to keep the calm as parliament was in session.
According to Mata’afa, she was concerned that both the Head of State and the Member of the Council of Deputies came down to parliament, when it is her and the Speaker who should go to see the Head of State.
On Monday this week, ahead of Tuesday’s parliament session, the Head of State personally went to see Mata’afa and the Speaker regarding the HRPP members swearing in.
SOURCE: TALAMUA ONLINE/PACNEWS
