Va'aelua Eti Alesana

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Va'aelua Eti Alesana (died 30 September 2011) was a Samoan politician and opposition leader who served as a founding member and President of the Tautua Samoa Party in 2011. [1]

He was the son of former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tofilau Eti Alesana. [1] [2] His sister, Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow, has remained a member of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party. [3]

Alesana was elected President of the opposition Tautua Samoa Party in February 2011, a post he held until his death later in the year. [2] He opposed Prime Minister's Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi re-election bid in the March 2011 general election. [2] However, Malielegaoi's was returned to office in the election.

Va'aelua Eti Alesana died in Samoa on Friday, 30 September 2011. [1] [4] The leader of Tautua Samoa, Palusalue Fa’apo II, said that "We are really saddened by this. He has done so much for the party." [1] Alesana was buried in his native village of Lalomalava, Savai'i. [5] In his eulogy, Palusalue Fa’apo II told mourners, "Va'aelua always maintained a positive attitude and before the General Elections last March, he kept encouraging the Tautua Samoa members to stay positive, despite the odds being stacked against us." [5]


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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Taina Kami Enoka (4 October 2011). "Tautua president passes". Samoa Observer . Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "Son of former Samoa leader now leading opposition party". Radio New Zealand . 14 February 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  3. "Funeral Service For Leader of Opposition Party". Talanei.com . 14 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  4. "Tautua Samoa president dies". Radio New Zealand . 4 October 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 Tone, Charlina (18 October 2011). "Tautua president laid to rest". Samoa Observer . Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
Party political offices
Preceded by President of the Tautua Samoa Party
2011
Succeeded by
Leatinu’u Salote Lesa