Va'aelua Eti Alesana

Va'aelua Eti Alesana (died September 30, 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, September 30, 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
  1. "Tautua president passes". Samoa Observer. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  2. "Son of former Samoa leader now leading opposition party". Radio New Zealand International. 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. "Funeral Service For Leader of Opposition Party". Talanei.com. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  4. "Tautua Samoa president dies". Radio New Zealand International. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  5. Tone, Charlina (2011-10-18). "Tautua president laid to rest". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
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