Tofilau Eti Alesana

Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana (4 June 1924 – 19 March 1999) was a Samoan politician who served as the 5th Prime Minister of Samoa from 1982 to 1985, and again from 1988 until his resignation in 1998. Alesana was born in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa to Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai. At the age of 24, he became a clan chief.[1]

Tofilau Eti Alesana AC
5th Prime Minister of Samoa
In office 8 April 1988 – 23 November 1998
O le Ao o le Malo	Malietoa Tanumafili II
Deputy	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Preceded by	Va'ai Kolone
Succeeded by	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
In office 31 December 1982 – 30 December 1985
O le Ao o le Malo	Malietoa Tanumafili II
Preceded by	Tupuola Efi
Succeeded by	Va'ai Kolone
4th Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 8 April 1988 – 23 November 1998
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Va'ai Kolone
Succeeded by	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
In office 1984 – 30 December 1985
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Lauofo Meti
Succeeded by	Va'ai Kolone
Minister without Portfolio
In office 23 November 1998 – 19 March 1999
Prime Minister	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Personal details
Born	4 June 1924 Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa
Died	19 March 1999 (aged 74) Apia, Samoa
Resting place	Lalomavala, Savaii
Political party	HRPP
Spouse(s)	Pitolua Alesana

History

In 1957 he was elected to the legislative council, and in 1958 he became health minister. He helped draft the constitution for the newly independent state of Western Samoa. Alesana helped form the Human Rights Protection Party which won power in 1982. Alesana served as prime minister for the first time from 1982 until 1985 when he was deposed by Parliament with the help of disgruntled members of his own party. He regained control of the party in 1988 and became prime minister. Alesana led the party to almost complete control of the country, with more than a 2/3 majority in the Parliament. In 1997 Alesana's government changed the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa.[2]

Alesana began to suffer from health problems in the 1990s, finally resigning as Prime Minister in November 1998 but remained a member of Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio until his death in the capital, Apia. His party still holds power. Alesana was also Minister of Foreign Affairs of Samoa from 1984 to 1985 and from 1988 to 1998.[3]

Tofilau is the first of a prominent political family in both Samoas. He is the uncle of former Governor of American Samoa, Tauese Pita Alesana as well as the former U.S. Congressional Representative Fofo Sunia, the former Lt. Governor of American Samoa, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and former Congressional representative, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin also of American Samoa. His wife was Pitolua Alesana.

Alesana's son, Tautua Samoa Party President Va'aelua Eti Alesana, died in 2011.[4]

Honours

Alesana was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953, and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[5] On 6 July 1994, he was appointed an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia, for "eminent service to Australian/Western Samoan relations and to South Pacific multilateral relations".[6]

References

1. Fraser, Helen. (25 March 1999). "Pacific reformer and conciliator." The Australian. p. 016.
2. Constitution Amendment Act (No. 2) 1997 (No. 15)
3. "Foreign Ministers of Samoa" – via rulers.org.
4. "Tautua Samoa president dies". Radio New Zealand International. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
5. Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 43. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
6. It's an Honour: AC

External links

• Tapuitea: Historical Notes, page 7, brief biography of Alesana