Siaosi Sovaleni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siaosi Sovaleni
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Sovaleni in 2022
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| Prime Minister of Tonga | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 27 December 2021 – 9 December 2024 |
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| Monarch | Tupou VI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Poasi Tei | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Samiu Vaipulu (acting) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Education and Training | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 10 October 2019 – 28 January 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa Himself |
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| Preceded by | Penisimani Fifita | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | ʻUhilamoelangi Fasi | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 28 December 2021 – 28 January 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Lord Nuku | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Paula Piukala | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 28 December 2021 – 28 March 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Lord Maʻafu | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the Tongan Parliament for Tongatapu 3 |
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| Assumed office 27 November 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Sitiveni Halapua | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni
28 February 1970 |
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| Political party | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater |
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Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni (born on February 28, 1970) is a Tongan politician. He was the Prime Minister of Tonga from 2021 until he resigned in 2024. Before becoming Prime Minister, he worked as a Cabinet Minister. From 2014 to 2017, he also served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He holds the important title of estate holder for the village of Ha'asini.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Siaosi Sovaleni is the son of Langi Kavaliku, who was also a Deputy Prime Minister. He went to Timaru Boys' High School in New Zealand and finished in 1988. He studied at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 1992.
Later, he continued his studies and earned a master's degree from the University of Oxford. He also completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.
Sovaleni worked for the Tongan government's Ministry of Finance from 1996 to 2010. After that, he worked for international groups like the Pacific Community and the Asian Development Bank. In 2013, he returned to Tonga to work as the Chief Executive in the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
Political Journey
Siaosi Sovaleni was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in the 2014 Tongan general election. After the election, he was chosen to be the Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga and the Minister of Environment and Communications in the government led by ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. As the Communications Minister, he helped pass two laws in 2015 that allowed for some control over internet content.
In September 2017, he was removed from his job. This happened because he supported King Tupou VI's decision to remove the Prime Minister and call for new elections. Despite this, he ran again in the 2017 Tongan general election. He was re-elected, becoming the only member of parliament from Tongatapu who was not part of the DPFI. He then tried to become Prime Minister but lost to Pohiva by a few votes.
After Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva passed away, Sovaleni supported Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa to become the next Prime Minister. When Tuʻiʻonetoa formed his government, Sovaleni was appointed as the Minister for Education and Training.
In January 2021, he received the important traditional title of Hu’akavameiliku. This title had also been held by his father. He was re-elected in the 2021 election, receiving the most votes of all candidates.
Serving as Prime Minister (2021–2024)
After the 2021 election, Siaosi Sovaleni was one of the main candidates to become Prime Minister. On December 15, 2021, he was elected Prime Minister, winning with 16 votes. He was officially appointed Prime Minister on December 27. On December 29, 2021, he announced the members of his government. He continued to be the Minister of Education and also took on the roles of Minister for Police and the Armed Forces.
In March 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19.
In February 2024, while Sovaleni was in New Zealand for medical reasons, the King decided to remove him from his role as armed forces minister. The Attorney-General advised the government that this decision was not allowed by the constitution.
On April 4, 2024, Sovaleni announced that he had resigned as Armed Forces Minister. This decision was seen as a result of the King no longer having trust in him for those specific roles. Sovaleni resigned as Prime Minister in December 2024. This happened before a vote in parliament that could have removed him from his position.
Images for kids
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