News from Apia
Welcome Samoa First Political Party. The new party established to challenge the HRPP.
A happy gathering of leaders of the new political party Samoa First after electing Unasa Iuni Sapolu as their leader.
Aug 7, 2018,
by Albert Ainuu
The Political landscape in Samoa changed over the last few weeks as a new political party threw its hat into the ring to challenge the established government led by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lemalielegaoi and his party the HRPP. The HRPP or Human Rights Protection Party have been in power now for over 30 years and there has been no viable opposition party in Samoa for about ten years.
The new party is led by Attorney Unasa Iuni Sapolu. She has resigned from her position as President of the Samoa Solidarity International Group Global Samoa in order to lead this new entity and hopefully challenge the status quo which is the current government. The secretary for the SFPP is Feagaimaalii Toomalatai - Uta'ile'uo and Sa'u Autaloto Brown is the treasurer. It was necessary to separate herself from SSIG Global in order to prevent any conflict of interest as Non profit organizations are usually not allowed to be affiliated with a political party.
The genesis and impetus of this party was the SSIG Global Mau which began in November of last year by Unasa Iuni, Maua Faleauto, Taloto Obed Unasa and Namulauulu Albert Ainuu. The progression from marching to a global movement to the taking of the message of LTRA 2008 to the villages using a program called the VEUs or Village Education Unit spawned this decision to create a political party. The VEUs were quite effective in generating a collective displeasure with the government's interference after the VEUs educated these villages about the villages rights and the dangers of the government's law LTRA 2008. As the meetings became more popular the VEU activists were constantly asked by villagers and matai's they were educating, when would there be an alternative party to the HRPP?
It seems like there was alot of dissatisfaction among the rural villages but they had no apparatus to allow them to act in accordance with their displeasure. In July, after this constant request heard from each village they went to, including villages in both Upolu and Savaii, the SSIG Global Samoa members decided to launch a Party and they registered the Samoa First Political Party.
The party has yet to present their manifesto and will do so in the near future but they have established the leadership and this is a major step toward their goal of becoming a viable opposition to the HRPP.
The selection of Unasa Iuni Sapolu as Party leader has been met with universal approval from various parties or individuals within the SSIG Global family. The face of SSIG Global in Samoa is now the most prominent opposition leader in Samoa. In truth she has been a guiding force for all of the activity that has happened in Samoa and world wide with regards to opposing the government of Samoa's policies, one of which is the LTRA 2008 law that endangers the customary lands of Samoa.
That movement or Mau rallied many Samoans throughout the world to a single issue, the protection of our customary lands. That in turn resulted in the emergence of the will of many Matai's and traditional leaders of Samoa to call for change of the status quo. Samoa has not had another government in power since the 1980s. What that means for any Samoan living in Samoa under 40 years of age they have not experienced any other government in Samoa. The HRPP have been it.
The danger this presents is the people are for the most part, living in a comfort zone of familiarity with the government leaders they have grown up with for over 30 years. It is not easy to change that when that length of leadership has been uninterrupted for so long. Which brings up the question, why is this new political party needed now?
The surface of Samoa's political landscape may appear calm and stable but there are many unhappy and wary Samoans living both in Samoa and especially living outside of Samoa who can see the unfortunate future Samoa is about to enter. The subtle and methodical changes implemented by this government with it's clear majority over such a long time have been recognized by scholars and intellectuals around the globe as not conducive to Samoan's benefit and long term sovereignty.
The explosion of debt that is being stacked on our nation has raised many red flags, especially as the industries that were supposed to bring in more wealth are not producing as were intended. Yazaki has closed its doors, tourism is not producing the revenue it was touted as being the producer of, the lack of any Agricultural development coupled with the lack of any other innovative economical opportunities for the people of Samoa and its economy have left many in Samoa in a state of sustained poverty while the select few enjoy the riches of favored status due to their political connections and established business connections. In this environment of economic sluggishness the people have been able to sustain themselves based on their ownership of their own customary lands. Samoa's minimum wage is $2.30/hr and that is Samoan Tala which converts to about 90 US cents an hour. How can anyone support a family on that kind of wage?
But as bad as the current situation is there is a rising fear that it is going to get worse. The government's long term agenda seems to be to make these protected customary lands collateral for further money to operate the nation and keep Samoa afloat financially. This fear is not just empty rumors, there are laws that are being enacted as you read this, to allow mortgages of leases of customary lands. The main reason for this agenda is Samoa is under the weight of an enormous financial debt. Samoa has been saddled with over $1.1 billion Tala while under the direction of the HRPP. These red flags of concern are popping up with more frequency as the debt of Samoa keeps expanding but sources of revenue are stuck in neutral and/or are diminishing.
This has been the incentive for the Mau of SSIG Global and the message of OLP, the anonymous blogger who has broadcast to the Samoan people on a daily basis, of the corrupt practices of this government. OLP has contributed mightily to the movement and the current state of dissatisfaction among Samoans world wide. These are the waves of momentum that SFPP has been able to harness and ride on into the desperate current state of affairs Samoa is in. If Samoa First Political party plays its cards right it will ride these waves all the way to replacing the inept government now in power.
If anyone can lead this movement to its desired destination the current leader of SFPP can. Unasa Iuni Sapolu's determination and courage in the face of many difficulties and persecution has already been displayed in living color. The nation of Samoa needs courageous, ethical and compassionate leaders who know how to manipulate the voting public in their favor and who have innovative ideas that will remove Samoa's dependence on debt as its primary source of revenue while building up a strong Samoa with minimal reliance on foreign powers for its sustainability and development.
Yes Samoa has a new leader to look to for direction. Unasa Iuni Sapolu and the Samoa First Political Party are now at bat. We here at Le Malae wish them the best.
by Albert Ainuu
The Political landscape in Samoa changed over the last few weeks as a new political party threw its hat into the ring to challenge the established government led by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lemalielegaoi and his party the HRPP. The HRPP or Human Rights Protection Party have been in power now for over 30 years and there has been no viable opposition party in Samoa for about ten years.
The new party is led by Attorney Unasa Iuni Sapolu. She has resigned from her position as President of the Samoa Solidarity International Group Global Samoa in order to lead this new entity and hopefully challenge the status quo which is the current government. The secretary for the SFPP is Feagaimaalii Toomalatai - Uta'ile'uo and Sa'u Autaloto Brown is the treasurer. It was necessary to separate herself from SSIG Global in order to prevent any conflict of interest as Non profit organizations are usually not allowed to be affiliated with a political party.
The genesis and impetus of this party was the SSIG Global Mau which began in November of last year by Unasa Iuni, Maua Faleauto, Taloto Obed Unasa and Namulauulu Albert Ainuu. The progression from marching to a global movement to the taking of the message of LTRA 2008 to the villages using a program called the VEUs or Village Education Unit spawned this decision to create a political party. The VEUs were quite effective in generating a collective displeasure with the government's interference after the VEUs educated these villages about the villages rights and the dangers of the government's law LTRA 2008. As the meetings became more popular the VEU activists were constantly asked by villagers and matai's they were educating, when would there be an alternative party to the HRPP?
It seems like there was alot of dissatisfaction among the rural villages but they had no apparatus to allow them to act in accordance with their displeasure. In July, after this constant request heard from each village they went to, including villages in both Upolu and Savaii, the SSIG Global Samoa members decided to launch a Party and they registered the Samoa First Political Party.
The party has yet to present their manifesto and will do so in the near future but they have established the leadership and this is a major step toward their goal of becoming a viable opposition to the HRPP.
The selection of Unasa Iuni Sapolu as Party leader has been met with universal approval from various parties or individuals within the SSIG Global family. The face of SSIG Global in Samoa is now the most prominent opposition leader in Samoa. In truth she has been a guiding force for all of the activity that has happened in Samoa and world wide with regards to opposing the government of Samoa's policies, one of which is the LTRA 2008 law that endangers the customary lands of Samoa.
That movement or Mau rallied many Samoans throughout the world to a single issue, the protection of our customary lands. That in turn resulted in the emergence of the will of many Matai's and traditional leaders of Samoa to call for change of the status quo. Samoa has not had another government in power since the 1980s. What that means for any Samoan living in Samoa under 40 years of age they have not experienced any other government in Samoa. The HRPP have been it.
The danger this presents is the people are for the most part, living in a comfort zone of familiarity with the government leaders they have grown up with for over 30 years. It is not easy to change that when that length of leadership has been uninterrupted for so long. Which brings up the question, why is this new political party needed now?
The surface of Samoa's political landscape may appear calm and stable but there are many unhappy and wary Samoans living both in Samoa and especially living outside of Samoa who can see the unfortunate future Samoa is about to enter. The subtle and methodical changes implemented by this government with it's clear majority over such a long time have been recognized by scholars and intellectuals around the globe as not conducive to Samoan's benefit and long term sovereignty.
The explosion of debt that is being stacked on our nation has raised many red flags, especially as the industries that were supposed to bring in more wealth are not producing as were intended. Yazaki has closed its doors, tourism is not producing the revenue it was touted as being the producer of, the lack of any Agricultural development coupled with the lack of any other innovative economical opportunities for the people of Samoa and its economy have left many in Samoa in a state of sustained poverty while the select few enjoy the riches of favored status due to their political connections and established business connections. In this environment of economic sluggishness the people have been able to sustain themselves based on their ownership of their own customary lands. Samoa's minimum wage is $2.30/hr and that is Samoan Tala which converts to about 90 US cents an hour. How can anyone support a family on that kind of wage?
But as bad as the current situation is there is a rising fear that it is going to get worse. The government's long term agenda seems to be to make these protected customary lands collateral for further money to operate the nation and keep Samoa afloat financially. This fear is not just empty rumors, there are laws that are being enacted as you read this, to allow mortgages of leases of customary lands. The main reason for this agenda is Samoa is under the weight of an enormous financial debt. Samoa has been saddled with over $1.1 billion Tala while under the direction of the HRPP. These red flags of concern are popping up with more frequency as the debt of Samoa keeps expanding but sources of revenue are stuck in neutral and/or are diminishing.
This has been the incentive for the Mau of SSIG Global and the message of OLP, the anonymous blogger who has broadcast to the Samoan people on a daily basis, of the corrupt practices of this government. OLP has contributed mightily to the movement and the current state of dissatisfaction among Samoans world wide. These are the waves of momentum that SFPP has been able to harness and ride on into the desperate current state of affairs Samoa is in. If Samoa First Political party plays its cards right it will ride these waves all the way to replacing the inept government now in power.
If anyone can lead this movement to its desired destination the current leader of SFPP can. Unasa Iuni Sapolu's determination and courage in the face of many difficulties and persecution has already been displayed in living color. The nation of Samoa needs courageous, ethical and compassionate leaders who know how to manipulate the voting public in their favor and who have innovative ideas that will remove Samoa's dependence on debt as its primary source of revenue while building up a strong Samoa with minimal reliance on foreign powers for its sustainability and development.
Yes Samoa has a new leader to look to for direction. Unasa Iuni Sapolu and the Samoa First Political Party are now at bat. We here at Le Malae wish them the best.
Another Tourist goes missing at the famous (now infamous) To Sua trench
Aug. 7, 2018
A tourist from New Zealand has been missing now for the past 12 hours last seen swimming at the popular swimming and tourist attraction on the South side of Upolu called To Sua. The Tourist is Chinese, Feng Nen Ming, who was swimming there Sunday at 3pm. There are unconfirmed reports the tourist may have been swept away by the waves and current. This is the second person who has been "lost" here at this tourist attraction. Last year a Royal NZ Navy Sailor, Kilino Joseph Lemafo'e Tua also went missing after he went to the To Sua to visit. His car and belongings were located not far from the To Sua trench in April of last year. The To Sua is a part of natural lava tube tunnel that stretches from the coast of Lotofaga and Vavau, inland about several hundred yards. The ceiling of the lava tube collapsed in two places many years ago and created this phenomena of a pool of ocean water with fish swimming that is connected to the Ocean. It has been attracting visitors for many years and is a unique place found in Samoa and nowhere else in the South Pacific. Tourists love to swim in the pool of water which is approached from the top using a steep wooden staircase. |
LufiLufi village reconcile with their High Chief Tui Atua Samoa village of Tui Atua paramount title holder seeks forgiveness at ceremony. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Samoa's Head of State, who is the holder of the Tui Atua paramount title, has reconciled with his village of Lufilufi who banished him six years ago.
His removal from the village was over the construction of a shelter which was built on the traditional grounds of the Tui Atua title holder that village council members said they had not been informed about. A Commission of Inquiry was established following the dispute but later withdrawn following a request from the Head of State. Last month the village council of Lufilufi unanimously accepted that Tui Atua would be welcomed back. At a royal traditional ceremony at Lufilufi this week, an orator of the village, Selelimalelei Malala, apologised to Tui Atua for any mistakes or wrongdoing by the village. Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his wife were present at the ceremony for his and his family's return. Our correspondent says this is the first time a Tui Atua paramount title holder has been banished and then welcomed back by the village. 
Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (front) and his masiofo, Filifilia Tamasese at the reconciliation and welcoming back by the village of Lufilufi. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
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