Government and Politics of Samoa

Government Type

constitutional monarchy under native chief

Administrative Divisions

11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

Legal System

based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: Head of State Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017); note - upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II Malietoa on 11 May 2007, the Legislative Assembly elected a new head of state; the position is now elected by the Legislative Assembly for a five-year term head of government: Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa (since 24 May 2021); note - Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is Samoa's first female prime minister, having led the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party to a narrow election victory; former long-serving Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi Tuilaepa, who had held office since 1998, conceded defeat following a ruling by the Supreme Court confirming the election result cabinet: Cabinet consists of no more than 12 members, appointed by the head of state on the advice of the prime minister elections: the head of state is elected by the Legislative Assembly for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the head of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (51 seats — 51 members elected from single-member constituencies; only chiefs (matai) were traditionally required to stand for election from village-based electorates, though this restriction has evolved over time; members serve five-year terms) Elections: election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026) Election results: percent of vote by party — FAST Party 55%, HRPP 40%, independents 5%; seats by party — FAST Party 26, Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) 23, independents 2; note: the 2021 election was historically significant as it resulted in the first transfer of power in nearly four decades, ending the long-ruling HRPP's dominance and bringing the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party to government under Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, who also became Samoa's first female prime minister

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Land and Titles Court

Political Parties

Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoan Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman] (opposition)

Head of State

Head of State Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II

Head of Government

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa

Cabinet

Cabinet consists of 12 members appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister’s advice

Elections

election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026)

Election Results

percent of vote by party — FAST Party 55%, HRPP 40%, independents 5%; seats by party — FAST Party 26, Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) 23, independents 2; note: the 2021 election was historically significant as it resulted in the first transfer of power in nearly four decades, ending the long-ruling HRPP's dominance and bringing the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party to government under Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, who also became Samoa's first female prime minister

Constitution

1-Jan-62

Independence

1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated

International Organization Participation

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, 5th Floor, Apia mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia telephone: [685] 21631/22696 FAX: [685] 22030

Capital City

Apia

Location

13 49 S, 171 46 W

Time Difference

UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

name derives from the native village around which the capital was constructed in the 1850s; the village still exists within the larger modern capital

The U.S. Embassy in Apia Accident Compensation Corporation Building (ACB) Fifth Floor P.O. Box 3430 Apia, Samoa Ph: +685 21436 Emergency after-hours telephone: (685) 777-1776 Fax: +685 22030 The Embassy is open for public inquiries from 9:00 – 11:00 am, Monday – Friday, and by appointment.

Military Branches

no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force