#SAMOA: First Female Prime Minister Denied Entry To Parliament By Former Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa arrived at parliament on Monday to be sworn into office as Samoa's first female Prime Minister. She wasn't allowed inside. The former prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and his supporters had locked down the building before Mata'afa's arrival. Malielegaoi has so far ignored a court order to step down from his position.

In the meantime, Mata'afa has been sworn into office in the parliament's gardens under a marquee, along with other members of her Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast) party.

The country has been in a political deadlock since the April 9 election, when the opposition Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST party) and the incumbent Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) won 25 seats each.

HRPP has dominated Samoa's politics for nearly 40 years, and its leader, 75-year-old Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has held office for more than 22 years — making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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