Valasi Toogamaga Tafito

The Honourable
Valasi Toogamaga Tafito
Minister of Health
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 May 2021[a]
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byFaimalotoa Kika Stowers
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Vaisigano No. 2
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 April 2021
Preceded byTapulesatele Mauteni Esera
In office
26 April 1996 – 31 March 2006
Preceded bySeve Ropati
Succeeded byMotuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli
Personal details
Political partySamoan Democratic United Party
Samoa National Democratic Party
Tautua Samoa Party
FAST

Valasi Luapitofanua Toogamaga Tafito Selesele is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party.[1][2]

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

  1. ^ Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Samoa Opposition appoints replacement after official murdered". RNZ. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (2 September 2020). "Parties join forces ahead of General Election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ Soli Wilson (22 October 2020). "S.N.D.P. leader Valasi nominates for F.A.S.T." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  6. ^ Soli Wilson (10 April 2021). "Veteran M.P. Valasi returned". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  7. ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  8. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  9. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (18 August 2021). "Government considers measles inquiry". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
Assembly seats
Preceded by Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Vaisigano No. 2
1996–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Vaisigano No. 2
2021–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Health
2021–present 		Incumbent