The former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi on Thursday declared “today is a day of victory”, despite Savai'i villagers disrupting his party's island-wide anti-judiciary protest.

Addressing close to 200 Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) members and supporters who gathered at the Savai’ian Hotel on Thursday afternoon, the veteran politician said the conduct of Savai’ian villagers to block the roads was “unlawful” and disappointing, but he is returning to Upolu more determined to fight for Samoa’s Constitution.

Initially, the H.R.P.P. planned to rally around Savai'i on Thursday to protest what they claim is the "disintegration" of Samoa's Constitution, after the Appellate Court ruled last month that the H.R.P.P. Government had been illegally occupying office after the 9 April general election.

However, their peaceful demonstration did not go as planned as several villages interrupted the vehicle convoy and stopped them from passing through. 

The vehicle convoy protest started from Lalomalava and was supposed to travel through the southern coastal area of the island through Palauli and on to Vaisala village, where it was planned a wreath to honor the first party-endorsed Prime Minister Vaai Kolone.

But they were stopped at the border of Salelavalu and Salelologa as untitled men and matai asked them to turn around. There were gunshots heard at the scene amidst a heavy police presence.

Addressing the gathering at Savai'ian Hotel, Tuilaepa said what they’ve witnessed is "enough" to indicate "the type of government" at the helm.

"This has never happened before," said Tuilaepa. "There is hatred, something we (H.R.P.P.) did not start.

"I still wonder what wrong we have committed for them to accuse me of doing bad things.

"Because once you are accused of doing something bad, you ask yourself whether you have done anything wrong."

Tuilaepa then alluded to his comments in relation to the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, his former party colleagues. 

"Does this mean that Fiame and La'auli have witnessed any bad thing I have done while they were in (H.R.P.P.)?"

Tuilaepa also accused the former Head of States, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and the Chairman of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt "for igniting fire" and the mastermind behind what unfolded on Thursday in Savai'i.

(The Samoa Observer understands that the former Head of State and his good lady are in Savai'i for a family court proceeding this whole week.)

Inciting violence to seek victory is nothing new in Samoa, said Tuilaepa. However because of its Christian values and beliefs, there is a new way of seeking victory.

"And that is to seek victory in a peaceful way. That's exactly why we have decided to stop with our plans and return back to Upolu.

"What we have seen is enough for us. It indicates the kind of Government we now have and we have marked their words and the whole world will soon hear and know about it.

"We have never resorted to these kinds of behaviors before. They have blocked the roads unlawfully because it's a public road. 

"Yet they (F.A.S.T.) traveled all around to our constituencies and we allowed them to carry out their plans because this party stands for the protection of human rights.

"Tupua has been traveling around the island to ignite fire; La'auli has also done the same.

"We are concerned about our future as we have children and family."

Moreover, Tuilaepa said it was disappointing to see the "unlawful" actions of Savai'i residents, especially when they had traveled along with women and children for their convoy protest. 

"If it were just us (men), we would have fought it out till the end. But we decided to keep the peace and seek victory peacefully. 

The former Prime Minister said what happened in Savai'i has elevated their desire to "fight for the Constitution of Samoa.

"We will not stop fighting for the Constitution of Samoa.

"We will return to Upolu and whatever plans we will have for the future, we will have it in Upolu, where the law is upheld. 

"If our bodies are no longer be seen here in Savai'i, it is because of that. Unless the Government returns to the H.R.P.P. but all the future events will be held in Tumua (Upolu).

"We will do it at Tiafau.

"What happened has strengthened our fighting spirits and today is a day of victory."

This declaration by Tuilaepa was met with loud cheers and applause from the crowd. 

Around the island of Savai'i there were banners on the road sides put up by villages loyal to the F.A.S.T. with messages emphasising their political affiliations.

The villages in support of the H.R.P.P. were seen dancing on the side of the roads in blue with banners and Samoa's national flag, waving and cheering as the vehicle convoy drove past.

The party and supporters took an alternative route through the northern coast but returned as soon as they were told of roadblocks ahead at the villages of Sasina and Fagae'e of Gagaifomauga No.3. 

At Sasina, the matai and untitled men blocked the roads with big rocks, cars as well as a billboard of their M.P. and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La'auli.