Valasi Toogamaga Tafito

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

The Honourable
Valasi Toogamaga Tafito
Minister of Health
Assumed office
24 May 2021[lower-alpha 1]
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byFaimalotoa Kika Stowers
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Vaisigano No. 2
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

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. 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.
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