US Ambassador praises Samoa’s democracy

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 23 FEBRUARY 2022: The Unites States new Ambassador to Samoa, Tom S. Udall has praised and congratulated Samoa’s democracy after “hitting tough spots” in the April 2021 general elections.

After presenting his credentials to the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleliifano Vaaleto’a Sualauvi II, Mr. Udall via a zoom press conference said Samoa just showed how vital and strong its democracy is in the recent election.

“Democracy requires engagement so each generation has to make that engagement and make that commitment and that’s what I think Samoa has done and shown to the people of Samoa and to the world that you can hit some tough spots in democracy but you come out of it stronger and so I congratulate your Government on that,” he said.

“It’s not said in any way that we want to interfere with the government of Samoa. Our objective and my objective as a diplomat is to work with Samoa as equal partners to move forward together on shared values and issues that we care about,” said Udall.

“We share those values, we share the values that flow from democracy about freedom of speech and freedom of religion and one thing I would say to the young people both in Samoa and the United States and around the world is that democracy is not a spectator sport.”

Getting to know Samoa better
Before taking on the role of Ambassador, Mr. Udall had known that Samoans were friendly people.

“We just had the Superbowl, and we had a Samoan as the Emcee, wonderful person, presents a great personality and I think all Samoans all over the world are really known for their generosity,” he said.

“But the thing that really hits me is how we’re both very proud Pacific nations and knowing that we want to work together, share common values about democracy, about freedom of speech, about freedom of religion and all of those things are important to both countries and so I really look forward to getting to know the Samoan people much better as the circumstances develop as I’m able to get there.”