Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Highness Afioga
Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II
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Sualauvi II in 2018
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| O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa | |
| Assumed office 21 July 2017 |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Deputy |
See list
Tuiloma Pule Lameko (until 2018)
Le Mamea Ropati (until 2024) Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi (since 2025) Malietoa Moli II (since 2025) Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua (since 2025) |
| Preceded by | Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi |
| Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific | |
| In office 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Dalton Tagelagi |
| Succeeded by | David Vunagi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 April 1947 Western Samoa |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Masiofo Faʻamausili Leinafo |
| Alma mater |
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Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II was born on April 29, 1947. He is a politician from Samoa. Since 2017, he has been the O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa. This title means he is the head of state for the country.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II comes from an important family in Samoa. He is the great-grandson of Tuimaleali'ifano Fa'aoloi'i Si'ua'ana I. This ancestor was a leader in the Mau movement, which worked for Samoa's independence.
His grand-uncle, Tuiaana Tuimalealiʻifano Suatipatipa II, was also a key figure. He was one of the first members of the Council of Deputies in 1962. In July 1977, Tuimalealiʻifano received the important title of Tuimalealiʻifano. This is one of the four main chiefly titles in Samoa. He is married to Masiofo Faʻamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiʻifano.
Career Before Politics
Before becoming a political leader, Tuimalealiʻifano had many different jobs. He worked as a police officer in Samoa and New Zealand. He was a Police Chief Inspector in Samoa. He also taught at a secondary school.
He studied law and became a lawyer. He worked as a public defender and a barrister. This meant he represented people in the Supreme Court of Samoa. He is also a religious leader. He serves as an elder deacon and lay preacher for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa. He has preached in Australia and New Zealand.
Political Journey
Running for Parliament in 2001
In the 2001 Samoan general election, Tuimalealiʻifano decided to run for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He ran as an independent candidate. His goal was to bring more recognition to his family's important title. He felt that other important family titles had monuments, but his did not.
The village council of Falelatai did not support his decision to run. They worried that a Tama-a-Aiga (a person holding a high family title) might face difficulties in politics. They also thought he would not have much power as an independent member of parliament. The council suggested he stay on the Council of Deputies instead. They even mentioned he might become the next head of state. However, Tuimalealiʻifano chose to continue his campaign. He lost the election.
After the election, he faced some challenges. He had a lot of debt from his campaign. There were also disagreements with the village council. Some people who voted for him also faced difficulties.
Becoming Head of State
Tuimalealiʻifano had been a member of the Council of Deputies from 1993 to 2001 and again from 2004. In 2017, he was elected to become the O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa. He took office on July 21, 2017.
In May 2021, there was a disagreement about the results of the April 2021 Samoan general election. Tuimalealiʻifano made a decision to cancel the election results and call for new elections. However, the Samoa Supreme Court later overturned this decision. He then issued a statement to prevent the Legislative Assembly of Samoa from meeting. This led to a brief period of political uncertainty in Samoa.
In July 2022, his term as head of state was extended. On August 23, 2022, he was officially reappointed for another five-year term.
Other Important Roles
From July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, Tuimalealiʻifano served as the 29th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific. This university is very important for education in the Pacific Islands. He took over from Niue's Dalton Tagelagi and was succeeded by Solomon Islands Governor-General David Vunagi.
Education
Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. He earned this degree from the Australian National University. He also has a Certificate and Diploma in Theological Studies from Malua Theological College.
See also
In Spanish: Vaaletoa Sualauvi II para niños
