Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio has cleared the air on why the Government was not present to receive a petition from a group of Samoans that held a march advocating for support for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Tuala said the peaceful march from a few members of the public was their right guaranteed under the Constitution. 

In a press statement issued by the Press Secretariat, Tuala said there was an opportunity for organisers of the march to present their petition to the Government. 

“There was a representative from the office that went to where the group gathered before 10 am on that morning as per the timeframe they provided,” he said. 

“However upon arrival, the small group that was part of the march had already disassembled. 

“For the information of the country, the matter is ongoing to date and there is work by the United Nations Security Council to find a solution on this matter.” 

On the day of the peaceful march, the group known as Samoans for Ceasefire left the Government premises disappointed in the absence and acknowledgment from the Government of receiving their petition. 

The Acting Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Government will continue its duty in the United Nations by following international laws and in support of observing peace and living in harmony.    

He added the involvement of Samoa in the United Nations and carrying out its duty is important. He said there are some officials directly involved in making those decisions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that report to the Prime Minister on international affairs.  

Days after the peaceful march from the Samoans for Ceasefire, the Government finally supported a vote for a ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Emergency Special Session. 

The special session was held on 12 December where a large majority of 153 member states adopted a resolution, demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as ensuring humanitarian access. 

One of the organisers for the Samoans for Ceasefire, Muriel Lui said they are proud of the Government and Samoa for backing the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 

"Our failure to vote in the GA (general assembly) vote for Ceasefire on 26 October 2023, and then the ensuing silence by our Government on the issue up until yesterday, was the reason Samoans for Ceasefire was formed," Ms. Lui said.  

"Our immediate aim was to ensure that our Government going forward, would support future calls for a total and immediate ceasefire in Gaza to save innocent civilian lives. 

"And we did this by calling on our Government through social media platforms, mainstream media and media releases, through an online petition and through a peaceful march that was conducted on Wednesday 6 December 2023 to the Government Building to present our online petition.”