Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has sacked Attorney General Savalenoa Mareva Betham Annandale.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Fiame revealed she had advised the Head of State to dismiss the Attorney-General with immediate effect from Thursday 2 September 2021.
Savalenoa was suspended 20 August and told in a letter by Fiame to respond to her preliminary view that she did not have trust or confidence in her ability to discharge the functions of the Office of Attorney General.
Since taking office, Fiame has made it clear that she could not work with Savalenoa because of the way she conducted herself during and after the 9 April General Elections.
Savalenoa, according to Fiame had ill-advised the Head of State on a “series of actions” that were contrary to the Constitution.
She was also accused, amongst other reasons, of being disrespectful to the Court when she walked out of a hearing in May.
“Each of these fell short of my, and the government’s, high expectations for the office of Attorney-General,” said the Prime Minister.
Fiame said she recognized that some but not all of these matters may have been the result of directions from the former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
“But my expectation is that an Attorney-General should stand for the rule of law, including by resignation if need be”.
Fiame added she did not accept the response by Savalenoa, which included saying that “neither the Head of State nor I have the legal authority to suspend or dismiss an Attorney-General”.
Recently appointed President of the Samoa Law Society, Su’a Helene Wallwork, has now been appointed by the Head of State on a “short term” while the government go through the process of selecting a permanent Attorney General.
