HEAR ME ROAR

By Nah Folasa

Fiame Naomi Matafa

Samoa can expect its first female Prime Minister to be sworn in on Monday 24 May 2021.

Today the Supreme Court cleared the last impediment to the formation of a new FAST government lead by Fiame Naomi Mataafa. The Court dismissed a second appeal bought by the HRPP which sought to include the additional seat for women in parliament. The new FAST Government will convene with a 1 seat majority. Its Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been nominated but not yet announced.

There have been many milestones reached since the formation of the FAST Party less than a year ago. Their achievement - from unknown to national leaders - is nothing short of staggering. Perhaps the greatest and historically significant achievement is the realisation of Samoa's first female Prime Minister.

Elected unopposed from her seat at Lotofaga, Fiame stood as an Independent candidate and became the leader of the fledgling FAST Party late last year. The line in the sand between HRPP and FAST was well and truly crossed. Next Monday, in response to the declaration by the Head of State to attend the XVII Parliament, Fiame will have the opportunity to lawfully swear her allegiance to the FAST Party (along with Tuala Ponifasio).

In doing so they will officially establish the majority government under the terms of our Constitution. However it will be the declaration of its first woman Prime Minister which will herald a new era in Samoa's history. Fiame's political pedigree and academic background are well known. Some would say she was born to be a leader and follow her father's footsteps. Others would say she was groomed to be a dignified states-woman like her mother. The reality she has done both. No doubt she will honour their legacy with dignity.

Fiame will become the second woman leader in the Pacific following Hilda Cathy Heine who served as the eighth President of the Marshall Islands. Coincidentally both women have backgrounds in education and politics. While the Court begins to hear various challenges next week and there is a prospect of by elections for certain seats, nothing will overshadow the momentous shift in political power on Monday.

Congratulations Fiame and FAST.