The Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) has raised serious concerns about the current state of governance in Samoa, questioning the ability of the remaining four Cabinet Ministers to effectively manage the country while more than half of their colleagues are overseas. 

The opposition party which held power for over four decades before the current government took office expressed disbelief at the situation, asking how the country can function with so few Cabinet members present.

"How can four Ministers run the country?" the HRPP questioned in a statement. "If there are only four Cabinet Ministers in the country, how can they make important decisions when they do not have a quorum to meet?" 

The party further pointed to the difficulty in making decisions or implementing policies, asking how the country's Ministries can function under such circumstances.

The HRPP's criticism centres on what it sees as a leadership vacuum, suggesting that the government's preference for international travel over staying in Samoa reflects poorly on its commitment to the nation. "What kind of leadership is this, where the priority seems to be overseas travel instead of staying home to govern?" the HRPP asked, adding, "Are these the kind of leaders you want for Samoa?"

As reported last week, only four Cabinet Ministers remain in the country to manage the government, while 11 of their colleagues are either on official travel or attending a political party event in the United States. 

Samoa's Cabinet consists of 15 members, including Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

In the absence of nine Ministers, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio has stepped in to temporarily assume the Prime Minister's portfolio, as well as the responsibilities of the absent Cabinet members. However, the Cabinet's inability to hold its usual weekly meeting this week due to a lack of quorum has raised questions about the government's ability to function effectively. 

While the Cabinet meeting was cancelled, sources have confirmed that essential Cabinet papers have been circulated and submitted. It remains unclear why there was no comment from the Acting Prime Minister regarding the Ministers' overseas travel for political events. Additionally, inquiries sent to the Cabinet Secretary, Agafili Shem Leo, seeking clarification on the matter went unanswered by press time.

Among the Ministers remaining in Samoa are the Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele; the Minister of Police and Prisons, Faualo Harry Schuster; and the Minister of Education and Recreation, Seuula Ioane.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, along with several key Ministers, is currently in Seattle, USA, attending the delayed birthday celebration and fundraising event of the Fa'atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party. The event, which began in Australia before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and resumed afterwards, is expected to continue until December.

Also on official travel is the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, who is attending the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, is in Australia on a mission to find a new interisland ferry, while the Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai, and the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Leota Lamositele Sio, are in Australia for the PacerPlus conference.

The Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale, who had just returned from official travel last week, departed for Thailand on Thursday morning. Additionally, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell, is in New Zealand for medical checks and is expected to return on Saturday.

As questions mount over the government’s ability to govern effectively with such a large portion of its Cabinet overseas, the HRPP has called for greater accountability and transparency. The opposition party is demanding clarity on how the country is being managed in the absence of so many key officials, and whether such extensive travel is in the best interests of Samoa.