Political crisis

Samoan traditional systems remain strong through political crisis - Academic

Both the election winner FAST party and the caretaker HRPP continue to battle it out in the courts for the right to rule.

Meanwhile, electoral petitions are continuing with multiple by-elections already in the offing and more likely to be forthcoming this week.

Victoria University senior lecturer Dr Iati Iati says while the methods may seem strange to external observers, the MPs involved are acting on the advice of their community leaders and constituents.

"What people should read into this is the strength of the traditional Samoan system," said Iati.

FAST Party forms Government according to deputy Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio

The FAST Party deputy Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio told RNZ that there's no doubt his party is now the government.

He said they were forced into holding Monday's swearing-in ceremony outside parliament.

"According to the constitution, the head of state is supposed to swear in, and if not the head of state then it will be a council of deputies. But none of those were available. They didn't want to be part of this," he said.

"So as far as we're concerned, we formed the government within the 45 legal days and we've done the swearing in and we do have a government."

Pacific churches hopeful of peaceful and just solution to Samoa’s political crisis

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.

Maldives: Supreme Court judges arrested amid political crisis

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another judge, Ali Hameed, were arrested hours after the government declared a state of emergency.

No details were given about the investigation or any charges.

The turmoil began when President Abdulla Yameen refused to obey a court order to release political dissidents.

The opposition have called the government moves a "purge" and there has been international condemnation.

Maldives is a nation is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 individual islands, and tourism is a vital part of its economy.

 

Venezuela: Government and opposition hold talks on political crisis

President Nicolas Maduro is attending the talks, which are being supervised by a Vatican envoy and other mediators.

The opposition is demanding a referendum be allowed to take place on whether Mr Maduro should step down.

For its part the government wants the opposition to renounce violence and reject right-wing economic policies.

The meeting, at a museum in the west of the capital, Caracas, follows a general strike and huge opposition rallies.