New Pacific Island Forums Secretary General Henry Puna has called for a moment of reflection and solidarity across the Pacific Islands Forum for the people of Samoa, where post-election events are making global headlines.
“The Forum family is following closely the developments on the ground in Samoa and encourages all parties to pursue peaceful means to resolve their difficulties,” Mr Puna said in a statement issued yesterday.
He said the Forum also stood ready to offer support and help if requested.
“I ask each of us across our Member nations to keep the people of Samoa in our thoughts and prayers at this time, knowing that Samoa’s sovereign process and the world-renowned Fa’a Samoa will prevail at this critical moment in their history,” Mr Puna said.
According to RNZ, accusations of coups and treason were flying as the stand-off between the majority FAST party and the defeated caretaker government showed no sign of ending.
The Supreme Court had ordered parliament to sit, overruling the Head of State’s decision to cancel Monday’s sitting.
Yesterday, FAST Party was barred from entering the parliament building after Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who has been Prime Minister for 23 years and leader of HRPP, directed the Speaker to lock the doors.
The FAST party of Fiame Naomi Mata’afa held its swearing-in ceremony in a tent on the parliament’s grounds.
