Valasi Luapitofanua Toogamaga Tafito Selesele is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party.[1][2]
Valasi Toogamaga Tafito | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Health | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2021[a] | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Preceded by | Faimalotoa Kika Stowers |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2 | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Tapulesatele Mauteni Esera |
| In office 26 April 1996 – 31 March 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Seve Ropati |
| Succeeded by | Motuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Samoan Democratic United Party Samoa National Democratic Party Tautua Samoa Party FAST |
Tafito was elected to the Fono as a candidate for the Samoan Democratic United Party in the 1996 Samoan general election. He was re-elected in 2001. In 2005 he was appointed party secretary.[3] He lost his seat at the 2006 election.
In August 2020 Tafito was unanimously elected leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP).[1] Shortly afterwards the SNDP agreed an electoral alliance with the FAST party, which would see them run a single joint candidate in each electorate for the April 2021 Samoan general election.[4] In October 2020 he was nominated as a candidate for FAST.[5] Preliminary results showed him winning his seat.[6]
On 24 May 2021 he was appointed Minister of Health in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[7] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[8]
In August 2021 Valasi announced that the government was considering establishing an inquiry into the 2019 Samoa measles outbreak.[9]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Soli Wilson (22 August 2020). "Valasi appointed S.N.D.P. leader, says party ready for 2021". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Samoa Opposition appoints replacement after official murdered". RNZ. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (2 September 2020). "Parties join forces ahead of General Election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ Soli Wilson (22 October 2020). "S.N.D.P. leader Valasi nominates for F.A.S.T." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Soli Wilson (10 April 2021). "Veteran M.P. Valasi returned". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (18 August 2021). "Government considers measles inquiry". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 August 2021.