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O le Ao o le Malo

O le Ao o le Malo is the Samoan 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, while malo means "government").^[1][2] 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.^[3] 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 current O le Ao o le Malo is Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who was elected to a five year term on 16 June 2007.^[4]

History

When Samoa became independent in 1962, the two highest^[5] of the four paramount chiefs (Tama a Aiga) — Malietoa Tanumafili 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.^[6] They were jointly known as O Ao o le Malo and severally as O le Ao o le Malo.^[3] 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.^[7][8] His replacement, 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 on 16 June 2007.^[4] 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.^[3]

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 Tanumafili and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, who were made exempt to the five year term provided for in Article 19.^[3] 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.^[6]

Removal from office can occur in three 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^[3]

Duties and powers

The position is that of a ceremonial president, with actual power being held by the Prime Minister, who 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.^[9] The O le Ao o le Malo can also grant pardons.^[10]

References

External links

• Office of the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa