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
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 May 2021[lower-alpha 1]
Prime Minister	Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded by	Faimalotoa Kika Stowers
Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 April 2021
Preceded by	Tapulesatele Mauteni Esera
In office 26 April 1996 – 31 March 2006
Preceded by	Seve Ropati
Succeeded by	Motuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli
Personal details
Political party	Samoan 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.

Assembly seats
Preceded by Seve Ropati	Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2 1996–2006	Succeeded by Motuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli
Preceded by Tapulesatele Mauteni Esera	Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2 2021–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Faimalotoa Kika Stowers	Minister of Health 2021–present	Incumbent