OPINION: WHO WHAT HOW AND WHEN
F.A.S.T leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa and HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Over recent weeks no less than 4 court decisions have verified that the FAST Party has won the April general election.
The Archibishop of the Catholic Church has publicly criticised the now former PM both personally and professionally in the manner he has behaved post - election. A gathering of HRPP orators and chiefs at Tiafau last Monday turned into a shambles with no clear consensus and even requests from HRPP supporters for the former PM to step down.
So while Fiame and FAST are trying to talk "how" and "when", the former PM is stuck on the "who" and "what".
In an attempt to move forward Fiame will once again meet with the former PM today. We can only imagine that the agenda would be quite short.
Apparently like the meeting last week the venue is in the former PM's office - an obvious power play.
While Fiame comes to the table looking for transition and moving forward, Tuilaepa has only brought confusion and obstruction.
His obtuse rationale behind claiming victory with the Court of Appeal allowing 6 seats for women leaves us wondering whether we read the same decision.
The ongoing state of confusion and unsettlement has been compounded by the reversal of an earlier Cabinet decision to extend the contracts of the Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
Their role is to enforce the law. Now that the LAW has come down in favour of FAST their role is to facilitate a smooth transition. Perhaps the decision to cut short their previously extended contracts has a deeper meaning and nasty implications.
We need to move on. The outcome of the petitions and by-elections is months away. In the meantime a budget needs to be brought down so public servants (doctors, nurses, police officers, teachers and many others) can be paid.
The public too need to get on with their lives in this economically unstable environment.
It may well be that FAST will be an "Interim Government" again depending on court challenges and by-elections. Regardless, the current stalemate achieves nothing.
We know WHO (won) and WHAT (the election). Let's get on with the HOW (to transition power) and WHEN ( soon as possible). Please.