South Pacific: Samoa—Peace and Neutrality in Oceania

Samoa stands out as a unique actor in the Oceania region, owing to a commitment to neutrality and peace enshrined in its constitution. In an ever increasingly complex world, marked by geopolitical competition, regional militarisation, and uncertainty posed by climate change- Samoa challenges this by remaining steadfast in a commitment to abstention from militarization. These values of peace led to Samoa becoming the first country of the Blue Pacific Continent to host the landmark 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October 2024. Samoa’s model of pacifism, akin to that of Switzerland in Europe or Costa Rica in South America, provides a platform to advocate for stability in their regions.

A Commitment to Neutrality

The historical trajectory of Samoa’s independence movement, shaped by colonial influences, has left a lasting impact on the nation's identity. The legacies of its time as German Samoa in the late 19th century, followed by New Zealand’s annexation in 1914, continue to influence Samoa’s political and cultural landscape. Samoa, like other Pacific Island countries, has long had its affairs shaped by external forces. Unlike violent campaigns for independence including the Bougainville Civil War (1988-1998) and the 1999 East Timor Crisis, Samoa has remained constant in seeking independence through peaceful and non-violent means. 

The colonial legacies of external states shaping and partitioning Samoa from German control in the 19th century until World War I, and then New Zealand annexation in 1914 until 1961 align with contemporary challenges of external powers shaping Pacific Islands countries. However, a constant is that the people of Samoa have fought for self-determination and independence through non-violent means. This contrasts the violent campaigns in the region such as the Bougainville Civil War (1988-1998) and the 1999 East Timor Crisis. 

Samoa’s independence movement can be traced back to community organisation in 1927 through the Mau movement. Guided by the proverb, “We are moved by love, but never by intimidation”, the Mau movement sought independence through peaceful resistance. Pivotal to this movement's history came in December 1929, referred to as “Black Saturday”, when New Zealand Police clashed with peaceful protestors. It was only in 2002 that New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke apologized to the people of Samoa for the Black Saturday incident.

A significant figure in the Mau movement is Ta’isi O.F Nelson. The advocacy of Nelson in leading a global campaign that reached Geneva and Wellington envisaged a Samoa Mo Samoa “Samoa for Samoans”. As Melessia Malama Melesia, a Professor of Samoan Studies and Fellow at the Lowy Institute noted Nelson was “the navigator who provided wings for our sails on the journey towards independence” 

Samoa achieved its independence on January 1st, 1962, without violence. Its four-decade vision for self-determination aligned with the continuities of the Mau movement. The passing of the Western Samoa Act in 1961, ended New Zealand’s role as the administrator of Samoa’s affairs. The Treaty of Friendship signed between Samoa and New Zealand established a framework of cooperation, showcasing an enduring friendship built on the principles of “friendship, confidence, and a mutual endeavour to obtain fuller opportunities for social progress”. 

Under Samoa’s Constitution, it remains in keeping and reaffirming the principles of the Mau movement and the advocacy of Ta’isi O.F Nelson, through the prohibition of a military force or to engage in military alliances. This commitment to neutrality continues to remain a constant in Samoa’s national identity. 

A Family of Nations

Samoa became the first Pacific Island Country to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024. The meeting, framed under the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth”, served as a platform to address collective global challenges, particularly the impact of climate change. Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa remarked “There is no better place to discuss solutions and concrete responses to the climate crisis, than in the home of those who stand to lose the most”. 

The multilateral meeting brought together 56 Commonwealth nations to engage in high-level discussions to address development, democracy, peace, and trade. His Majesty, King Charles III drew awareness to “an unshakeable faith in the special nature of our Commonwealth and the extraordinary value it holds. This is a family – or aiga as our Samoan hosts would say – of countries, of organizations and of people. All nations are equal in this unique and voluntary association”. The legacies of the Mau Movement and Nelson ring true in advocating for a global system of all nations being given equal standing towards a commitment to international peace.  

Navigating neutrality in a multipolar world 

The geostrategic interests of the United States and China in wider Oceania have positioned some Pacific Island nations as strategic choices within their great power competition. Samoa has sought to maintain its neutrality, however, it has also engaged in bilateral partnerships with traditional allies, Australia and New Zealand. Both the Australian-Samoa Bilateral Partnership (2023) and the New Zealand-Samoa Partnership (2024) seek to address non-military issues ranging from policing, transnational crime, cyber-security and climate resilience.

 The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent emphasizes the importance of improving internal governance structures, given the external influence of great powers. Regionally, countries such as the Solomon Islands have aligned their sovereignty to complex bilateral security deals with Beijing. As such, Samoa and other non-military nations across the region must remain cautious about the risks associated with debt-trap diplomacy.

As Oliver Nobetau, a Lowy Institute Fellow framed “Geopolitical engagement is only as good as we make it, Pacific Islands people need to take ownership of their own development, hold ourselves to account and lead from the front”. Samoa and like-minded nations must have agency in navigating a turbulent period in the region, reflecting the same spirit of independence and non-violent resistance that defined the Mau movement. Samoa remains an exemplary leader towards upholding the values of peace, neutrality and self-determination.