The appointment of two chief executive officers in the last week was a transparent process managed by the Public Service Commission, said caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

She was responding to claims by the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party that the appointments of Peseta Noumea Simi and Leota Aliielua Salani were a violation of the caretaker conventions.

FAST had alleged that the caretaker government had illegally appointed the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as they did not have the power to make such appointments.

Peseta Noumea Simi was reappointed to her role as the top official for MFAT last week.

According to Fiame, this was a transparent process managed by the Public Service Commission in accordance with prevailing policies and procedures.

She further explained that the recruitment and selection process for the position was initiated by the Commission in February 2025 in anticipation of the expiry of the CEO's contract in June 2025.

She said the position was advertised widely for the standard period of one month, and at the closing of applications, the Commission undertook a merit-based assessment in line with the requirements of the Public Service Act 2004.

"The caretaker government reaffirms its endorsement of the caretaker convention, which ensures that a caretaker government does not unduly limit or bind a future government," Fiame said.

Fiame highlighted that the aim for this is the need to maintain the normal operation of public administration.

"The caretaker government remains committed to upholding the principles of accountability, good governance and fair processes in all its decisions," Fiame said.

Three new CEO's have been recently appointed, which include the new CEO for Samoa Tourism Authority, MFAT and the Samoa Bureau of Statistics.