Fiame Naomi Mata' afa became prime minister of Samoa in may of 2021. She is the first woman to do so and this marks a significant change in the island's politics. Since 1998, Tuilaepa Sa' ilele Maleiegaoi had been prime minister. The Human Rights Protection Party held dominance for close to 40 years. Then a wave of change occurred. Prime Minister Maleiegoi refused to accept election results. That triggered a constitutional crisis. Once resolved, Mata' afa was able to take office. She is not new to politics. Her career as a politician started back in 1985 serving in parliament. Her family has a history of being active in politics. Fiame's father Mata' afa Faumunia Mulinu' u was Samoa's first prime minister. There may not be any radical change with a longtime establishment figure in power. Unpopular bills that were introduced that undermined the independence of the judiciary. This caused the formation of a new political party known as Fa' atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party. Tuilaepa Sa' ilele Maleiegaoi has vowed to maintain staunch opposition to the FAST Party. The challenges are not only domestic. Relations with China, climate change, and the current status of the Pacific Island Forum are concerns. Samoa may need to extend diplomacy into the wider Oceania region.
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