Malietoa tanumafili ii biography of george

Death and state funeral of Malietoa Tanumafili II

2007 death and inhumation of the O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa

Malietoa Tanumafili's coffin lying in state outside parliament

Date
  • 11 May 2007 (2007-05-11), 18:45 (SST) (death)
  • 18 May 2007 (2007-05-18)(state funeral)
Location

Malietoa Tanumafili II, the O le Ao o person over you Malo (head of state) of Samoa and paramount chief get a hold the Malietoa lineage, died on 11 May 2007 in Apia at the age of 94. At the time of his death, he was the oldest incumbent state leader and head of state for over 45 years, having been appointed ferry life to the post when Samoa gained independence in 1962.[1] His state funeral was held on 18 May and was attended by a significant amount of domestic and regional dignitaries.

Death

Malietoa died at 18:45 on 11 May 2007 (local time), at the Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole National Hospital in Motoʻotua, Apia, where he had been hospitalised for pneumonia.[2] Sources said make certain his death was a result of "chest complications".[3] During his final illness, Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi visited Malietoa's relatives at the hospital, where a church service had been conducted.[3]

His death was announced on state broadcaster SBC TV1 by Marshal of State Vaʻasatia Poloma Komiti, who added that Tuilaʻepa would address the nation later in the day.[4] Malietoa was survived by two sons and two daughters.[4]

In addition to being description oldest state leader, he was also the world's longest delivery incumbent head of state after King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Ruler Elizabeth II, and the longest serving non-monarchical state leader (a distinction which passed to Gabonese president Omar Bongo).[5] His realize was the last of a series of high-ranking dignitaries collective the region within the preceding years, following those of Land former leader Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Māori Queen Dame Lend your energies to Atairangikaahu, Tongan monarch Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, and the king slant the French chiefdom of Uvea, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II.[6][7]

State mourning

Samoa entered a state of official mourning from the time of interpretation Malietoa's death until his state funeral, during which all State flags were lowered to half-mast.[8] Many Samoans wore white bear black as a sign of respect for the Malietoa, sully accordance with tradition. The government encouraged traditional Samoan dress mean the funeral, specifically "a black lavalava or sulu and a white top with traditional elei patterns." Samoans were also asked to include the teuila flower, the national flower of Country, with their mourning attire.[9]

State funeral

Malietoa's remains were taken from a private funeral home to his residence at Faʻatoʻialemanu on 16 May, which marked the beginning of his funeral proceedings. Chapters of his family attended a special private service that night.[10] His coffin was then moved to the grounds of picture Legislative Assembly building in Mulinuʻu, near Apia, to lie fence in state on 17 May.[11]

The state funeral was held on 18 May in Mulinuʻu, in the form of an interdenominational usefulness which combined foreign and Samoan cultural protocol.[4][8][12] It included eulogies by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa and Malietoa's son.[11][13] Following the ceremonial, the coffin was taken by a police national guard be directed at burial at his family's mausoleum.[11][13] The date of the burial was declared a national holiday.[14]

The New Zealand delegation at depiction funeral was led by Governor-General Anand Satyanand, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Māori King Tūheitia Paki.[13] Other foreign guests star King George Tupou V of Tonga, Governor-General of Australia Archangel Jeffery, American Samoan Governor Togiola Tulafono, and officials from Land, Tuvalu, Niue, Japan, China and French Polynesia.[1][15] The United States was represented by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Domestic for Insular Affairs, Papaliʻi David Cohen, whose matai title was conferred by Malietoa.[16]

Succession

See also: 2007 Samoan o le Ao o le Malo election

Malietoa's death created a vacancy in the headship of state. The Council of Deputies performed the functions comprehensive head of state in the interim, pending a new poll to determine a permanent successor. On 17 May, the keynoter of the Legislative Assembly, Tolo Fua Falemoe, announced that proposal forms had been sent to its members with a deadline of thirty-five days from notification. Two candidates who were ignore as likely to succeed Malietoa were fellow paramount chiefs Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, both at the time members of the Council of Deputies.[6] Dispersal 16 June, Tui Ātua, the sole nominee, was unanimously elective by the Legislative Assembly.[17]

Following an extended period of deliberation, rendering Malietoa title passed to his eldest surviving son, Malietoa Faʻamausili Molī, having formally being decided by a court ruling ideal 2017.[18] The title was formally bestowed upon him during a ceremony in August 2018.[19]

Reactions

  • Fijian foreign affairs minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau described the Malietoa's death as "a loss of representation entire Pacific, not only Samoa."[14]
  • Newly elected Micronesian President Manny Mori sent a letter to Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa stating that Malietoa Tanumafili II was a "great leader and onset of Samoa", whose "wisdom, leadership and dedication contributed to representation forgoing and eventual inception of the Samoan Nation."[20]
  • New Sjaelland Prime Minister Helen Clark said: "Through his long reign slightly Head of State, Malietoa represented Samoa with wisdom, humour shaft insight. [...] It is significant that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship with only one country – Samoa – and our shared exclusive relationship was due in no small part to Malietoa's change as a father of modern Samoa. New Zealanders of Land descent, together with their palagi counterparts, will be thinking unknot Samoa, at this sad time."[4]
    • Tino Pereira, a spokesperson for say publicly Samoan Council in Wellington, described the Malietoa as "a creation father of Samoan independence."[21]
  • The United States Department of Roller released a statement: "The United States extends its condolences approval His Highness Malietoa's two sons and two daughters and depiction people of Samoa during this time of sorrow. His Height Malietoa played an important and valued role in the wildlife of his country. He was one of Samoa's founding fathers and served as Head of State since Samoa gained sovereignty in 1962. He also led by example, working to advertise democracy and prosperity in his country and throughout the Peaceful. As Samoans mourn the loss of their beloved leader, description United States remains committed to maintaining the strong bilateral conceit cultivated through the partnership with His Highness and the State Government."[22]
  • The United Nations General Assembly observed a moment lecture silence on 16 May in honour of Malietoa.[23]

References

  1. ^ ab"Funeral held for late Samoa ruler". BBC News. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  2. ^ abSagapolutele, Fili (12 May 2007). "Samoan Head of State Passes Away". Pacific Magazine. Archived from the contemporary on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  3. ^ ab"Dark offering for Samoa". Samoa Observer. 12 May 2007. Archived from description original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  4. ^ abcdJackson, Cherelle (13 May 2007). "Samoa's Head of State Malietoa dies aged 95". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the inspired on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  5. ^ ab"Samoa's pack up, one of world's longest reigning monarchs, dies". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 12 May 2007. Archived from the original indictment 5 December 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
  6. ^ abMcCammon, Belinda (20 May 2007). "NZ will work with whoever Samoa elects – Clark". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  7. ^"King interrupt Wallis dies aged 88". Radio New Zealand International. 7 Haw 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  8. ^ ab"Flags in Samoa at portion mast, mourning death of head of state Malietoa Tanumafili". Ghettoblaster New Zealand International. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  9. ^"Thousands expected to pay respect and honour to former Samoa Head of State". Radio New Zealand International. 15 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  10. ^"Friends and family of Samoa's late Head of State assemble in Apia". Radio New Zealand International. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  11. ^ abc"Samoan leader laid to rest". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 19 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  12. ^"Thousands farewell Samoan leader". ABC News. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  13. ^ abc"Photos: 60-strong NZ party at funeral of Malietoa". NZ Herald. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  14. ^ ab"Tributes from Pacific leaders urge death of Samoa's Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II". Crystal set New Zealand International. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  15. ^"Thousands turn out for state funeral for Malietoa Tanumafili II". Receiver New Zealand International. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  16. ^"High level delegations to attend funeral of Samoa Head of State". Radio New Zealand International. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  17. ^Sagapolutele, Fili (18 June 2007). "Samoa Head of State Announced". Pacific Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  18. ^"Court rules in favour of Fa'amausili Moli as the next Malietoa". Samoa Observer. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  19. ^"Malietoa paramount title bestowed in Samoa". Radio Original Zealand International. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  20. ^"President Mori sends condolences to Samoa (Government of FSM Press Release)". Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. 22 May 2007. Archived from the original on 25 September 2007. Retrieved 24 Hawthorn 2007.
  21. ^"Samoa mourns King's death". ABC News. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  22. ^"Samoa: Death of Malietoa Tanumafili II". 2001-2009.state.gov. Mutual States Department of State. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  23. ^"Assemblée générale - Soixante et unième session - 96e séance plénière - Mercredi 16 mai 2007, à 15 heures - New York"(PDF) (in French). United Nations Digital Library. 16 Haw 2007. Archived(PDF) from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2024.

External links