Samoa Prime Minister Fiamē launching the gun amnesty on Monday. 5 August 2024 Photo: Government of Samoa
Samoa Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa has launched as a two-month gun amnesty to ensure "the safety and security of all world leaders" ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
Samoa police have told RNZ Pacific that a high-level police meeting has been held to discuss preparations for CHOGM.
The gun amnesty - the third since 2015 - commenced on 1 August and aims to reduce illegal firearms and ammunitions in the community.
The initiative will end on 30 September.
Gun amnesties over the past seven years have resulted in 596 firearms and 725 pieces of ammunition being surrendered.
"The intention is for individuals in possession of unlawful firearms and ammunitions to surrender them without prosecution during the amnesty period," Fiamē said on Monday to launch Gun Amnesty 2024.
"As Samoa sets to hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024, as the incoming Chair, the safet and security of all world leaders attending CHOGM is critical."
Residents are being offered food vouchers worth $100 tala if they co-operate during the amnesty.
Between 2015 and 2016, the police received 317 firearms and 321 pieces of ammunition.
In 2018, 81 firearms were handed in.
And between 2020 and 2021, 198 firearms and 494 ammunitions were surrendered.
Statistics show the police reported 16 incidents involving firearms between 1 January last year and June 30th this year.
These included the fatal shooting of a senior police officer and in another incident a 12-year-old boy.
"[The gun amnesty] demonstrates the importance of ensuring that our community, our country and our people live in a safe and secure environment," Fiamē said.
Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told Samoa Observer in June that almost 200 officers from Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia will support Samoa at CHOGM.
"We are confident in our preparations to ensure a safe and successful CHOGM," Auapa'au was quoted as saying.
Samoa is the first Pacific member county to host the biennial meeting.