Members of the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party wrote to Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to voice their dissatisfaction with her leadership and called for her removal as party leader and Prime Minister. 

Dated 30 December 2024, the letter included a list of party members who were in attendance at a meeting on the same day from 4.47 pm to 8.20 pm where members raised a number of issues. 

The letter written in Samoan noted growing concerns on critical issues affecting MP Fepuleai Faimata Sua and its chairman Laauli Leuatea Schmidt querying why the party chairman has been the target of accusations from the Ministry of Police. 

The members pointed out La’auli was accused while a complaint from a former M.P.’s wife and the chairman against opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi on allegations regarding the death of a teenager had not been dealt with.  

Fiame who had asked to be excused from the party meeting was criticised by members claiming her absence reflected her lack of interest in matters of grave concern within the cabinet they had wanted to consult her on.

Nineteen MPs including cabinet ministers signed the letter and petitioned to remove the party leader and Prime Minister due to lack of confidence from members.  

According to the members, Fiame is aware of shortfalls within the Ministry of Police saying they no longer trust the Police Commissioner Auapaau Logotino and the Minister of Police Faualo Harry Schuster including public discontent against the Ministry. 

The members noted drug problems and alleged there were plots to assassinate some cabinet ministers, and the unsolved death of Ituau Faasavalu Maletino arguing the government continued to turn a deaf ear to these critical issues. 

“Some members feel the party members are not safe under your leadership due to implications from within our Faatuatua family, that has affected Associate Minister Fepuleai Faimata from his trip to American Samoa, and you made the decision to terminate him from his Associate Minister portfolio, but there was no inquiry from a committee to investigate to confirm these allegations, now the chairman has been charged by police, but there is the Attorney General that should have been asked for her legal advice on these charges if its truthful,” the letter stated. 

Furthermore, the members expressed disappointment in the Prime Minister’s comments to leave La’auli to deal with his matter with the police and not get the political party involved. 

Members also said they had observed the cabinet's absence from the party meeting and were made aware of reports that La’auli will be charged and attempts to sack him as the chairman and have him replaced. 

“Honorable Prime Minister, we feel your absence from the meeting this afternoon confirms to us that you don’t acknowledge and take matters lightly affecting representatives from constituencies, the feeling now is the political party and its members are no longer safe and we no longer have confidence in your leadership due to a lot of matters occurring from within the party.” 

The party members also reminded Fiame that they are all equal being elected MPs for their constituencies and it was their faith in the Prime Minister and Cabinet that led to their leadership appointment. 

“The unanimous decision from the members who attended the meeting is that there must be a change in the leadership of the party, or the Prime Minister to lead the country because we no longer have confidence in you because we have observed that it appears there are groups within the political party and it starts from within the cabinet.” 

Those who signed the letter include; Papalii Lio Masipau, Mulipola Anarosa Ale–Molioo, Tofa Tea Peato, Fuiono Denina, Valasi Tafito Selesele, Seuamuli Fasi Toma, Foisala Lilo, Magele Sekati Fiauli, Ale Vena Ale, Tuuu Anasii Leota, Manuleleua Paletasala, Feoslai Tusiupu, Auapaau Aloitafua, Fepuleai Faasavalu Faimata Sua, Niuava Eti Malolo, Agaseata Valelio Tanuvasa, Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Maiava Tito Asafo and Faleomavaega Titimaea.