The Samoa government has nominated three new Members of the Council of Deputies including a former Head of State.
At the one day sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, Speaker Papali’i Ta’eu Masipa’u announced Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Malietoa Moli II and Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua as the new council of deputies to replace the sole member Le Mamea Ropati Mualia who ends his term at the end of the year.
He has been in office since February 2016.
Samoa Observer reports Tui Atua was the former Head of State from 2007 until 2017 and was replaced by the current Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II.
A 2019 amendment to the Constitution limits the tenure of office for the Head of State to no more than two five year terms.
Another member of the Council of Deputies is Malietoa Moli II, the son of the former Head of State, the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Le Laulu from Gataivai, Savaii is the son of a former Member of Parliament for Palauli le Falefa, Mapusua Malo.
The swearing in ceremony for the new members is expected early in the new year.
