Two Rivals Claim Samoa’s Prime Ministership As Political Crisis Deepens

SYDNEY - The political crisis in Samoa has deepened as two rivals claim to be prime minister of the South Pacific island nation. Samoa lies about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, and has a population of about 200,000 people.   

Samoans voted in a general election in early April. The result was very close, and both major parties have claimed victory.  The opposition FAST Party, led by Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, said it had secured the crucial support of an independent lawmaker to form a government with a 26-25 majority in parliament.  However, Samoa’s long serving leader, Tuila'epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who has been in power since 1998, disputed the result.  His refusal to stand down was described as a ‘coup’ by his opponents.