5 Jul 2021

Samoan PM has filed a recusal in case against him

From First Up, 5:10 am on 5 July 2021

To Samoa now where the country is waiting to see whether outgoing Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and key members of his government will be arrested for contempt of court after allegedly obstructing the convening of Parliament. Samoa's Supreme Court has ruled that Parliament must sit no later than today, giving the incumbent FAST party the ability to declare a government and be sworn in. But Tuila'epa appears to be standing firm .. and has now filed a recusal application to prevent some judges from sitting on the 'contempt of court citation' brought against him and his attorney general. Producer Matthew Theunissen asked RNZ correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia to explain the political crisis.