Va'aelua Eti Alesana
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]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Taina Kami Enoka (4 October 2011). "Tautua president passes". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ a b c "Son of former Samoa leader now leading opposition party". Radio New Zealand. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ "Funeral Service For Leader of Opposition Party". Talanei.com. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ "Tautua Samoa president dies". Radio New Zealand. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ a b Tone, Charlina (18 October 2011). "Tautua president laid to rest". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.