Sonatane Tu'a Taumoepeau Tupou
Encyclopedia
Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumopeau Tupou (born March 14, 1943, in Nukuʻalofa
) is a diplomat from the Kingdom of Tonga
. He has been the Foreign Minister
of Tonga since 24 August 2004, though his appointment was not announced until 2 September 2004. He has also been Minister of Defense since April 2005.
He is Tonga's third Foreign Minister
after His Royal Highness George Tupou V
(at that time: Tupoutoa) and most recently His Royal Highness Prince Ahoeitu Unuakiotonga Tukuaho (at that time: Lavaka Ata Ulukālala). He is a career diplomat. He had previously been Tonga's first ambassador to the United Nations
after Tonga joined the United Nations
in September 1999. During his tenure at the United Nations he was also accredited as Tonga's Ambassador to the United States
and High Commissioner to Canada
.
On May 1, 2009, he relinquished his position as a Cabinet Minister, in order to take up more diplomatic positions.
, Tonga to Samiuela Ma'afu Tupou and Lu'isa Ma'ume'afo'ou Taumoepeau. He was raised by Tevita Fa'ahivalu Taumoepeau and 'Ainise Kilinalivoni Tongilava. He attended primary school in Nukuʻalofa and Neiafu
on Vava'u
and continued his secondary education at Newington College
, Stanmore
, Sydney
, Australia
in 1953-1962. He later received his Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii
, under a scholarship from the East-West Center
.
He married 'Amelia Latuniua Ahome'e, the youngest daughter of the Noble 'Ahome'e and Heu'ifanga Veikune. They have four children.
's Office. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Tonga Defence Services
in 1971 and was posted to the Tonga High Commission in London
as a First Secretary in 1973. In 1977 he re-joined the Prime Minister's Office as an Assistant Secretary and was seconded to the Palace Office, where he was promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1978 and also appointed Secretary to the Tongan Defence Board.
He was promoted to Secretary for Foreign Affairs in 1979 and in 1983 he was posted as Tonga’s High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom
and concurrently appointed as Ambassador to the then European Community and the European Commission
as well as to Belgium
, Denmark
, France
, Germany
, Italy
, Luxembourg
, the Netherlands
, the then Soviet Union
and the United States of America.
In 1986 he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In 1999 he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Tonga to the United Nations
and further appointed concurrently as Tonga’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and Tonga's High Commissioner to Canada
before being recalled to take up his Ministerial appointments.
Since his appointment as Foreign Minister
he was also appointed as Tonga's Acting Defence Minister
on 22 April 2005 following the sudden death of Colonel Fetu'utolu Tupou. Most recently he has also been appointed as the Acting Governor of Vava'u
following the death of the Hon. 'Akau'ola.
In June 2009 he became Tonga's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a position that has concurrent accreditation as Tongan Ambassador to the United States, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela, and Tongan High Commissioner to Canada. He presented his credentials as Ambassador to the United States of America on February 22, 2010. He presented his credentials as High Commissioner to Canada on May 19, 2010.
Nukuʻalofa
Nukualofa is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southern most island group of Tonga.-Mythological origins:...
) is a diplomat from the Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
. He has been the Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
of Tonga since 24 August 2004, though his appointment was not announced until 2 September 2004. He has also been Minister of Defense since April 2005.
He is Tonga's third Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
after His Royal Highness George Tupou V
George Tupou V
George Tupou V , is the current King of Tonga.-Early life:...
(at that time: Tupoutoa) and most recently His Royal Highness Prince Ahoeitu Unuakiotonga Tukuaho (at that time: Lavaka Ata Ulukālala). He is a career diplomat. He had previously been Tonga's first ambassador to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
after Tonga joined the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in September 1999. During his tenure at the United Nations he was also accredited as Tonga's Ambassador to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and High Commissioner to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
On May 1, 2009, he relinquished his position as a Cabinet Minister, in order to take up more diplomatic positions.
Early life
Tupou was born in NukualofaNukuʻalofa
Nukualofa is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southern most island group of Tonga.-Mythological origins:...
, Tonga to Samiuela Ma'afu Tupou and Lu'isa Ma'ume'afo'ou Taumoepeau. He was raised by Tevita Fa'ahivalu Taumoepeau and 'Ainise Kilinalivoni Tongilava. He attended primary school in Nukuʻalofa and Neiafu
Neiafu
-Tonga:*Neiafu – the second largest town in Tonga, located on Vava'u island.*Neiafu – a small village at the western end of Tongatapu island....
on Vava'u
Vava'u
Vavau is an island chain of one large island and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. According to tradition Maui fished both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises 204 meters above sea level...
and continued his secondary education at Newington College
Newington College
Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
, Stanmore
Stanmore, New South Wales
Stanmore is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. Stanmore is located 6 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of Marrickville Council.-History:...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1953-1962. He later received his Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
, under a scholarship from the East-West Center
East-West Center
The East–West Center , headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific and the United States....
.
He married 'Amelia Latuniua Ahome'e, the youngest daughter of the Noble 'Ahome'e and Heu'ifanga Veikune. They have four children.
Career
He joined the Tongan Civil Service in 1969 as an Assistant Secretary in the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Tonga
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*...
's Office. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Tonga Defence Services
Tonga Defence Services
The Tonga Defense Services is the armed force of Tonga. It is composed of three operational command components, two support elements ....
in 1971 and was posted to the Tonga High Commission in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as a First Secretary in 1973. In 1977 he re-joined the Prime Minister's Office as an Assistant Secretary and was seconded to the Palace Office, where he was promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1978 and also appointed Secretary to the Tongan Defence Board.
He was promoted to Secretary for Foreign Affairs in 1979 and in 1983 he was posted as Tonga’s High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to 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...
and concurrently appointed as Ambassador to the then European Community and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
as well as to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the then Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the United States of America.
In 1986 he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In 1999 he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Tonga to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and further appointed concurrently as Tonga’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and Tonga's High Commissioner to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
before being recalled to take up his Ministerial appointments.
Since his appointment as Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
he was also appointed as Tonga's Acting Defence Minister
Defence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
on 22 April 2005 following the sudden death of Colonel Fetu'utolu Tupou. Most recently he has also been appointed as the Acting Governor of Vava'u
Vava'u
Vavau is an island chain of one large island and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. According to tradition Maui fished both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises 204 meters above sea level...
following the death of the Hon. 'Akau'ola.
In June 2009 he became Tonga's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a position that has concurrent accreditation as Tongan Ambassador to the United States, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela, and Tongan High Commissioner to Canada. He presented his credentials as Ambassador to the United States of America on February 22, 2010. He presented his credentials as High Commissioner to Canada on May 19, 2010.
Controversy
In April 2010 a 3 year Royal Land Commission investigation headed by Baron Fielakepa as chairman investigated corrupt land dealing, and implicated that Sonatane Tu'a Taumoepeau Tupou had acted unethically in his role as Acting Governor of Vava'u. The final land commission report stated "that the Acting Governor Tu’a Taumoepeau has a lot of explaining to give" and recommended that Government investigate the whole background to the registration and the involvement of the then Acting Governor Tu’a Taumoepeau in these dealing.External links
- "Community Spotlight - H.E. Ambassador Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau Tupou", Undated, 'Anapesi Ka'ili, Planet Tonga
- "Pacific Islands will keep pressing for better labour mobility, says Tongan Foreign Minister", 4 November 2005, Pesi Fonua, Matangi Tonga Online
- [rtsp://webcast.un.org/ondemand/conferences/unhrc/upr/2nd/hrc080519pm-eng_part1.rm?start=00:11:03&end=00:13:39 Mr. Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau Tupou addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council], upon the adoption of the Report on Tonga (May 19, 2008)