Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 239 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1970 Population: 190,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 1.9% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 106 Official language: Samoan Time: GMT plus 13–14 hrs Currency: Tala or Samoan dollar (T) Geography Area: 2,831 sq km Coastline: 403 km Capital: Apia The name Samoa, from Sa (‘sacred’) and Moa (‘centre’), means ‘Sacred Centre of the Universe’. Samoa (formerly Western Samoa) is an archipelago of nine islands at the centre of the south-west Pacific island groups, surrounded by (clockwise from north) Tokelau, American Samoa, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna. The nine islands of Samoa are Apolima, Manono, Fanuatapu, Namu’a, Nuutele, Nuulua, Nuusafee, Savai’i (the largest, at 1,708 sq km including adjacent small islands) and Upolu (second largest, at 1,118 sq km including adjacent small islands). Five of the islands are uninhabited. Constitution Status: Republic Legislature: Parliament of Samoa Independence: 1 January 1962 Samoa is a democracy with a unicameral legislature, the Fono; a Prime Minister who selects the cabinet; and a head of state, similar to a constitutional monarch. Under the constitution, the head of state is elected by the Fono for five years. However, by a special arrangement decided on in 1962 when the constitution came into force, Malietoa Tanumafili II (who died in 2007) and one other senior chief (who died in 1963) were to hold the office for life. The Prime Minister, who must be a member of the Fono and be supported by a majority of its members, is appointed by the head of state. The Prime Minister chooses 12 members to form the cabinet, which has charge of executive government. The head of state must give their assent to new legislation before it becomes law. The Fono has 49 members: 47 elected in 41 constituencies by universal adult suffrage, to be contested only by matai title holders (chiefs of aiga, or extended families, of whom there are around 25,000); and two elected from separate electoral rolls comprising those of foreign descent. The Fono sits for five-year terms. Until 1991 only the matai were eligible to vote, but following a plebiscite universal adult suffrage was introduced in time for that year’s elections. The matai, whose office is elective for life, still administer local government in the traditional manner. They are trustees for customary land held on behalf of the people, which makes up about 80 per cent of all the land in the country. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court Ministry: Justice and Courts Administration The Supreme Court is presided over by the chief justice, and has jurisdiction over both civil and criminal matters. The Court of Appeal, whose president is the chief justice, deals with appeals from the lower courts. There are two district courts (known as magistrates courts until 1998), and the Land and Titles Court, whose president is a judge of the Supreme Court, and which has jurisdiction in disputes over ownership of customary land. Government and politics Last elections: 4 March 2011 Next elections: 2016 Head of state: Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi (2007–) Head of government: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi Ruling party: Human Rights Protection Party Women MPs: 6% In the general election of March 2001, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) – with 23 seats – won more seats than any other party, but was nonetheless challenged by the combined Samoa
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