STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN, AND PACIFIC STATES (OACPS) ON THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN SAMOA

Brussels, 4 August 2021/OACPS: On behalf of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto CHIKOTI, acknowledges the ruling of the Samoa Court of Appeal which has resulted in the resolution of the three-month long political stalemate and constitutional crisis in the Independent State of Samoa.

H.E. Mr. Chikoti congratulates newly-elected Prime Minister, the Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and wishes her every success in her term-in-office. H.E. Chikoti reiterates his commitment to working with Prime Minister Mata’afa and her new government in the pursuit of the OACPS’ agenda and for the achievement of inclusive and sustainable development for Samoa.

The Secretary-General is pleased to note Prime Minister Mata’afa’s election as the first female Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa. This historic appointment is in keeping with the commitment of the OACPS to promote equal opportunity for women, their full and effective participation, and their leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.

Secretary-General Chikoti commends the people of the Independent State of Samoa for their resilience throughout this democratic process, in an environment of peace and tranquillity. Furthermore, he also takes this opportunity to pay tribute to the outgoing Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi for his visionary leadership in Samoa for 22 years and his sterling contribution to the work of the OACPS, and the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.