Samoa: Latest news in Samoa, October 5th, 2026
05-10-2026
Major news headlines and developments in Samoa around October 5, 2026:
Prime Minister Issues Public Apology: Prime Minister Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt issued an apology following public release by the Samoa Observer of a resurfaced 2007 family video showing him raising his arm in a Nazi salute and saying “Heil Hitler”. In a formal statement, Schmidt stated that the footage was from a private family gathering almost 20 years prior and acknowledged the words and gesture were inappropriate and offensive, reaffirming his rejection of antisemitism, Nazism, and extremism.
KVUE+ 1Legal Aid and Justice Developments: The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) announced target funding of $1 million tala to support legal aid services, citing demand that reaches up to 1,000 legal aid applications annually.
Samoa Global NewsSamoa Law Society Leadership: Prominent lawyer Fiona Ey was re-elected unopposed as the President of the Samoa Law Society.
Financial Oversight on Commemorative Currency: The Cabinet decided to temporarily withhold the general circulation of a new $100 Tala commemorative banknote recently prepared by the Central Bank of Samoa.
talamua.comElectoral Court Petitions: Following recent parliamentary dispute proceedings, the Electoral Court has reserved its decision regarding the Safata 2 election petition concerning allegations of bribery during the electoral process.
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