O le Ao o le Malo
Encyclopedia
O le Ao o le Malo is the Samoa
n head of state
, which is the title's rough translation. (A more literal translation might be "the chieftain of the government" — ao is a title generally reserved for chiefs (matai
), while malo means "government"). The O le Ao o le Malo is styled as His Highness.
The position is provided for in Part III of the 1960 Samoan constitution. At the time the constitution was adopted it was anticipated that future heads of state would be chosen from among the four Tama-a-Aiga "royal" paramount chiefs. However, this is not required by the constitution and for this reason Samoa can be considered a republic rather than a constitutional monarchy like the United Kingdom
. The government Press Secretariat describes O le Ao o le Malo as a "ceremonial president". The current O le Ao o le Malo is Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who was elected to a five year term on 16 June 2007.
and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
, were jointly named to the office by the 1960 Constitution for life. Each respectively represented the Malietoa and Tupua, which have been described as the "two main family lineages" of Samoa.
They were jointly known as O Ao o le Malo and severally as O le Ao o le Malo. Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole died a year later in 1963, leaving Malietoa Tanumafili as the sole holder of the office until his death in 2007, aged 95. His replacement, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who had served two prior terms as Prime Minister of Samoa
, was elected by the Samoan Legislative Assembly, called the Fono
, as the third O le Ao o le Malo, for a five year term beginning on 20 June 2007. He is the elder son of Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.
and Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
, who were made exempt to the five year term provided for in Article 19. The constitution does not set forth a limit on the number of terms an O le Ao o le Malo can serve. There is an understanding that the office is to alternate between the Malietoa and Tupua families.
Removal from office can occur in four ways:
, whom the O le Ao o le Malo appoints on the recommendation of the Fono. While the O le Ao o le Malo "does not play an active role in government", he can dissolve the Fono and no act of parliament will become law without his approval. The O le Ao o le Malo can also grant pardons.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
, which is the title's rough translation. (A more literal translation might be "the chieftain of the government" — ao is a title generally reserved for chiefs (matai
Matai
Matai may refer to:* Matai , a city and suco in East Timor* Matai, Egypt, a city in the governorate of Al Minya in Egypt* Prumnopitys taxifolia, a tree endemic to New Zealand* HMNZS Matai , a Royal New Zealand Navy ship...
), while malo means "government"). The O le Ao o le Malo is styled as His Highness.
The position is provided for in Part III of the 1960 Samoan constitution. At the time the constitution was adopted it was anticipated that future heads of state would be chosen from among the four Tama-a-Aiga "royal" paramount chiefs. However, this is not required by the constitution and for this reason Samoa can be considered a republic rather than a constitutional monarchy like the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The government Press Secretariat describes O le Ao o le Malo as a "ceremonial president". The current O le Ao o le Malo is Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who was elected to a five year term on 16 June 2007.
History
When Samoa became independent in 1962, the two highest of the four paramount chiefs (Tama a Aiga) — Malietoa TanumafiliMalietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa
Malietoa Tanumafili II, GCMG, CBE, was the Malietoa, the title of one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, and the head of state, or O le Ao o le Malo, a position that he held for life, of Samoa from 1962 to 2007. He was co-chief of state in 1962 and became the sole head of state on 15 April 1963...
and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, CBE was the Tupua Tamasese from 1929 to 1963, a Samoan paramount chief. He held the post O le Ao o le Malo jointly with Malietoa Tanumafili II from 1962 until his death in the next year....
, were jointly named to the office by the 1960 Constitution for life. Each respectively represented the Malietoa and Tupua, which have been described as the "two main family lineages" of Samoa.
They were jointly known as O Ao o le Malo and severally as O le Ao o le Malo. Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole died a year later in 1963, leaving Malietoa Tanumafili as the sole holder of the office until his death in 2007, aged 95. His replacement, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who had served two prior terms as Prime Minister of Samoa
Prime Minister of Samoa
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
, was elected by the Samoan Legislative Assembly, called the Fono
Fono
The Legislative Assembly is the Parliament of Samoa based in the capital Apia where the country's central administration is situated.In the Samoan language, the Legislative Assembly of Samoa is sometimes referred to as the Samoan Fono while the government of the country is referred to as the...
, as the third O le Ao o le Malo, for a five year term beginning on 20 June 2007. He is the elder son of Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.
Qualifications
Article 18 of the Samoan constitution sets the qualifications for the position of O le Ao o le Malo. The O le Ao o le Malo must:- be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament
- possess such qualifications as the Fono may determine from time to time by resolution
- not have been previously removed from the office of the Head of State on the grounds of misbehavior or infirmity.
Term of office
The O le Ao o le Malo is elected by the Fono for five years and can be reelected. The exceptions to this were Malietoa TanumafiliMalietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa
Malietoa Tanumafili II, GCMG, CBE, was the Malietoa, the title of one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, and the head of state, or O le Ao o le Malo, a position that he held for life, of Samoa from 1962 to 2007. He was co-chief of state in 1962 and became the sole head of state on 15 April 1963...
and Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole
Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, CBE was the Tupua Tamasese from 1929 to 1963, a Samoan paramount chief. He held the post O le Ao o le Malo jointly with Malietoa Tanumafili II from 1962 until his death in the next year....
, who were made exempt to the five year term provided for in Article 19. The constitution does not set forth a limit on the number of terms an O le Ao o le Malo can serve. There is an understanding that the office is to alternate between the Malietoa and Tupua families.
Removal from office can occur in four ways:
- resignation
- removal by the Fono on the grounds of misbehavior or mental or physical infirmity
- approval by two thirds of the Fono of a resolution for removal that is proposed and supported by at least a fourth of its members following at least 14 days between the notice of motion and debate on the motion
- death
Duties and powers
The position is that of a ceremonial president, with actual power being held by the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Samoa
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
, whom the O le Ao o le Malo appoints on the recommendation of the Fono. While the O le Ao o le Malo "does not play an active role in government", he can dissolve the Fono and no act of parliament will become law without his approval. The O le Ao o le Malo can also grant pardons.
List of officeholders
| # | Incumbent | Took Office | Left Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malietoa Tanumafili II | 1 January 1962 | 11 May 2007 | Elected for Life. Served jointly with Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, CBE was the Tupua Tamasese from 1929 to 1963, a Samoan paramount chief. He held the post O le Ao o le Malo jointly with Malietoa Tanumafili II from 1962 until his death in the next year.... to 5 April 1963. Died in office. |
| Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, CBE was the Tupua Tamasese from 1929 to 1963, a Samoan paramount chief. He held the post O le Ao o le Malo jointly with Malietoa Tanumafili II from 1962 until his death in the next year.... |
5 April 1963 | Elected for Life. Served jointly with Malietoa Tanumafili II. Died in office. | ||
| – | Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi | 11 May 2007 | 20 June 2007 | Acting (members of the Council of Deputies). |
| Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II | ||||
| 2 | Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi | 20 June 2007 | Incumbent | Elected for 5 years. |
See also
- SamoaSamoaSamoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
- Politics of SamoaPolitics of SamoaPolitics of Samoa takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic state whereby the Prime Minister of Samoa is the head of government...
- List of colonial heads of Samoa
- Prime Minister of SamoaPrime Minister of SamoaThis is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
- Politics of Samoa
- Lists of Incumbents