Several former members of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) have broken away to set up their political party, believing they were no longer needed by their former alliance. 

Samoa Labour Party has officially registered with the Office of the Electoral Commission, joining five other political parties preparing to contest the August general elections. 

President of the Samoa Labour Party, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu said the formation of the party was upon the realisation that HRPP has already selected their candidates from certain districts without informing them. 

“This is not in retaliation with HRPP, but we believe we still have something to contribute to Samoa, and unfortunately, HRPP believes otherwise,” he added. 

“That is the decision from the HRPP executive to pick their candidates, and I don’t think we are needed there anymore and believe they will be in a much better boat with someone else.” 

Faaolesa said the new party respects the direction where HRPP is heading and will not speak ill of other parties. 

Samoa Labour Party will have its official launch on Saturday this week at Tuutuuleloloto and will be its first official appearance to the general public.

Other members of the newly formed party are former members of parliament, So’oalo Feo Mene, Tuisa Tasi Patea and businessman Su’a Tanielu Su’a, who contested as a candidate in the previous election. 

Other political parties already registered with OEC include HRPP, Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST), Samoa Uniting Party or Samoa Ua Potopoto (SUP), Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP) and Democracy Republic Party.