The Samoa Government has announced the appointments of new Heads of Mission to diplomatic postings abroad following approval by the Cabinet last December.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (M.F.A.T.) in a statement released Tuesday announced the reappointment or the end of terms of current serving Samoan diplomats. 

Diplomats who will continue their term include the High Commissioner to Fiji, Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fatumanava-o-Upolu III, Dr Pa’ōlelei Luteru, the High Commissioner to Australia, Hinauri Petana and the Ambassador to Japan, Faalavaau Perina Sila-Tualaulelei.

Those who have been given a six months extension include the High Commissioner to New Zealand, Leasi Papalii Tommy Scanlan, the Consul-General in Auckland, Faolotoi Reupena Pogi, the Consul-General in Sydney, Auseugaefa Vaasatia Poloma Komiti, and the Trade Commissioner in Auckland, Magele Mauiliu Magele.

The new diplomatic Heads of Mission include the Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom Belgium (accredited to the United Kingdom, EU, OACPS and Commonwealth, Francella Strickland-Simonet, the Ambassador-designate to Switzerland (accredited to the UN Geneva, FAO in Rome and UNESCO in Paris), Toleafoa Nella Tavita-Levy, Ambassador-designate to the People’s Republic of China (with accreditation to the Republic of Korea), Luamanuvae Albert Mariner and the Consul-General to American Samoa, Fata Brian Kaio. 

Among those who have been recalled are Tapusalaia Terry To'omata, who served as Samoa's Ambassador to the Government of the People's Republic of China for over a decade and Manogiamanu Fonoti Etuale Ioane, who was the Samoa Government’s Consul General to American Samoa since 2018. 

According to the M.F.A.T. statement, the appointments were approved by Cabinet for both Heads of Missions and posted officers which were conducted on a rational basis. The tenure for Heads of Missions is for a duration of 6 years while the duration of all officer posts is 4 years.

Francella Strickland-Simonet, who is now Samoa's Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Belgium takes over the post that was held by Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, who is now the new Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations.

Mrs. Simonet was a Senior Adviser of the SDG Implementation Team within the Office of the President of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and joined the Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2001.

She has served in the Samoa Embassy to Belgium with accreditation to the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Secretariat. Prior to joining the Office of the President of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, she was Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations since 2011. 

Samoa's Ambassador-designate to Switzerland (with accreditation to UN Geneva F.A.O. in Rome and the U.N.E.S.C.O. in Paris) is Toleafoa Nella Tavita-Levy, who was the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Luamanuvae Albert Mariner, who previously worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat in London and is now an Independent Management Consultant, is the new Ambassador-designate to the People's Republic of China, with accreditation to the Republic of Korea. He is replacing Tapusalaia Terry To'omata. 

The Government acknowledged the services of the Samoan diplomats who were representing the country abroad and are now being recalled following the end of their tenure. 

STAFF ROTATION FOR MISSIONS FOR 2022

AUSTRALIA

Canberra

Deputy High Commissioner                         Anna Main, to replace Rona Meleisea Chewlitt 

First Secretary                                                   Reupena Matauiau (New Appointment)

Sydney

Vice Consul – Trade                                        Rapture Pagaialii to replace Henry Tunupopo

JAPAN

First Secretary                                                   Rodney Lavea (New Appointment)

Counsellor                                                          (replacement for Justin Lima to be approved)

BELGIUM

First Secretary                                                   Raewyn Manuleleua to replace Maxine Hunter

SWITZERLAND                   

First Secretary                                                   Marissa Toomata (New Appointment)

First Secretary                                                   Lonnie Tuatagaloa (New Appointment)

New York, USA

First Secretary                                                   Dorothy Judy Anetone to replace Olive Vaai