Pacific Conference of Churches

A statement released by the Pacific Conference of Churches said the Samoa Council of Churches will meet representatives of Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'aha and her predecessor, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, in an attempt to end the stand-off.

Police barricaded the parliament complex yesterday as 18 elected but unsworn Opposition parliamentarians including Tuila'epa were protesting their inability to enter Parliament.

In a statement issued by General Secretary Reverend James Bhagwan today, PCC said it notes the legal and constitutional crisis which continues to unfold in Samoa.

Since the elections in March, there has been an obvious jostling for powers among the leadership and several determinations have been made by Samoa’s courts.

“We appeal to Samoa’s political leaders to act justly and consider the wishes, wellbeing and safety of the people ahead of all else,” the council of churches said.

The pro-independence FLNKS movement said it would exercise its right under the Noumea Accord to call the final and third vote in 2022 amid a push by the rival side to get France to thwart it.

Ten days ago, 46 percent voted for independence, fuelling expectations that fewer abstentions among Kanak voters next time will see the pro-independence camp win.

Netani Rika, of the Pacific Conference of Churches secretariat in Suva, said the PCC was working with the Protestant church in New Caledonia.

The General Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae, said a protest that took place during the forum supporting West Papua's independence was nothing new.

Mr Pihaatae said it illustrated the strong support from some. But he urged all Pacific nations to express their concern as seen in Samoa.

RNZI reports Indonesia's Ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, Tantowi Yahya, was at the meeting and condemned the protest and accused Pacific Islanders of being misled on a human rights situation that had largely improved.