Samoa: Political instability looms following termination of Police Commissioner’s contract and Former Prime Minister’s lawsuit
On 9 October, Acting Minister for Police, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo, informed Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, his contract was terminated effective 10 October 2025. Commissioner Filipo’s contract had been extended by the caretaker government after ending in June this year, and he had also applied for reappointment in the open application process. Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo had 27 years service with the Samoa Police, including holding the Commissioner’s appointment from 2022. Separately, on 14 October, former Prime Minister Naomi Fiame filed a civil case against PM Laauli Schmidt and his relative Lise Schmidt, seeking $1.1 million for defamation and false allegations over her alleged involvement in the murder of Professor Caroline Gabbard. Earlier in January, former PM Fiame terminated Laauli Schmidt’s appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries following 10 criminal charges against him (see SPI #12 of 2-15 January 2025).
Assessment: During the farewell ceremony, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo announced a salary increase for all officers, subject to Cabinet’s approval of the proposed budget. He also counted successes chalked during his tenure as Commissioner including the completion and handover of the Police Academy, and hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He stated that he expected the termination of his contract. The termination of Auapa’au Filipo’s contract and the appointment of an Acting Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga will very likely interfere with Prime Minister Laauli Schmidt’s case. Former Prime Minister Naomi Fiame’s lawsuit is unlikely to succeed considering Prime Minister Laauli Schmidt’s control of the Police and Corrections Service. Former Prime Minister Fiame is unlikely to rescind her decision to seek justice which will likely increase the possibility of political instability for the current government.
Sources: Shalveen Chand, “Top cop told to clear office,” Samoa Observer, October 9 2025; Bethel Peato-Ale, “Auapa’au announces police pay increase at farewell,” Samoa Observer, October 10 2025; Shalveen Chand, “Fiame sues PM Laaulialemalietoa for $1.1M in defamation suit,” Samoa Observer, October 16 2025; Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo, “Four arrested for Maluafou head boy assault,” Samoa Observer, October 21 2025; “Samoa's ex-PM Fiamē sues Laaulialemalietoa for defamation over murder case claims,” PMN, October 21 2025, https://pmn.co.nz/read/political/fiame-sues-laaulialemalietoa-for-defamation-over-murder-case-claims.
