Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene is a Samoan politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He is a member of the Human Rights Protection Party.

Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene
Mene in 2013
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Gagaifomauga No. 2
In office
4 March 2011 – 9 April 2021
Preceded bySafuneituʻuga Paʻaga Neri
Succeeded byVaʻele Paʻiaʻaua Iona Sekuini
Personal details
Political partyIndependent, Human Rights Protection Party

Mene was first elected to parliament as an independent in the 2011 Samoan general election and was appointed Associate Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour[1] after joining the HRPP. He was re-elected in the 2016 election and appointed Associate Minister of Revenue.[2][3] He was later moved to the Prisons, and then the Justice portfolio.

In September 2017 he was accused of a conflict of interest after being moved to the prisons portfolio, as his wife was working as Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prisons and Correction Services.[4]

In April 2020 he was investigated by police over an allegation of domestic violence.[5] In June 2020 he was referred for counselling after the complaints were withdrawn.[6][7]

He lost his seat in the 2021 election.[8] He subsequently registered as a candidate in the 2022 Gagaifomauga 2 By-election,[9] but withdrew his candidacy to support Soʻoalo Fineaso Poka.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Tongan PM welcomes Peer Review team". Pacific Islands Forum. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Samoa's former deputy PM left out". RNZ. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Samoa PM Names 13 Associate Ministers". Talanei. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  4. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaaliʻi-Luamanu (18 September 2017). "Minister defends role for wife of Associate Minister". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Samoa's associate Minister of Justice under investigation". RNZ. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Associate Minister in Samoa referred to counselling after police complaint". RNZ. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  7. ^ Soli Wilson (29 May 2020). "Associate Minister referred to counselling". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  8. ^ Soli Wilson (7 June 2021). "Former Assoc. Minister withdraws petition against F.A.S.T. winner". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  9. ^ Mataiʻa Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (13 May 2022). "Five candidates vie for seat in Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  10. ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (19 May 2022). "One HRPP Candidate Withdraws from Upcoming By-Election". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
Legislative Assembly of Samoa
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Gaga'ifomauga 2
2011–2021
Succeeded by