Samoa's ruling party faces new threat – after nearly 40 years in power

Prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi has ruled for 22 years, but a former ally leads a new coalition of challengers

The 22-year rule of one of the world's longest-serving prime ministers, Samoa's Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi, faces its most significant challenge, with a new coalition - fronted by a former political ally - threatening his grip on power.

The elder statesman of Pacific politics, Malielegaoi has been prime minister and foreign minister of Samoa since 1998.