Dear Editor,

Last Friday, the 20th of December 2024, the Human Rights Protection Party and its supporters celebrated the Party’s 45th anniversary.

It was a special commemoration as we sang songs and reminisced about the Party’s many achievements since winning its first general elections in 1982 and every subsequent election in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision declaring the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi forced swearing-in ceremony illegal and unconstitutional, a subsequent appeal decision on the 23rd of July 2021 granted legality to the FAST Party government.

This intervention created confusion, which the Court of Appeal, comprising overseas Judges, later clarified - though to the disadvantage of HRPP.

For the sake of our beloved country, it is essential to preserve our history by reciting daily to our children, our political experiences to prevent repeating mistakes of the past, as history tends to repeat itself.

No government can stand if there is division within.

FAST leaders, who are former disgruntled HRPP Cabinet Ministers, betrayed their oath to serve the people of Samoa and became obsessed with the pursuit of power.

In just four short years, Samoa has descended into a kakistocracy - a government run by individuals who fail to observe the rule of law.

We have witnessed numerous allegations against Cabinet Ministers, including the sale of 400 acres of government farmland to American Samoa, the launch of a Samoa Cryptocurrency Stock Exchange in Hong Kong, the awarding of exclusive rights for visiting Chinese tourists to a Minister’s family business, the improper importation of firearms, and claims of personal ownership over public assets.

We will never forget the events of 14th and 15th September 2021, two darkest days in Samoan politics.

On these two days, the Police, armed with batons and shields, used steel barricades to prevent HRPP MPs from entering Parliament to be sworn in.

On 15th September, the Police summoned vehicles to transport us to Tanumalala Prison if we continued requesting a meeting with the Speaker outside of the Parliament Building.

This blatant disregard for the rule of law and the heavy-handed actions of the FAST Party leadership demonstrated their insecurity and their complete absence of respect for our people and nation.

We will continue the democratic process of reciting our history and reminding our people of the dangers of choosing leaders who are drunk with power.

The Government leadership is in disarray, with Ministers evading accountability for their illegal and irresponsible actions.

As the saying goes, “The fish rots from the head down.”

Let us remember this as we look ahead to the future of Samoa.

It is our duty to safeguard democracy, justice, and the rule of law - not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP