The Tonga Government today announced the appointment of Siaosi Taimani '‘Aho as the new Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

He takes up the portfolio from Hon. Fielakepa who held the position for one month from 24 August until 24 September 2004, following the dismissal of the previous Minister, 'Aisea Taumoepeau. The Hon. Fielakepa continues to hold his other portfolio of Minister of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources.

The information unit of the Prime Minister's Office said today's appointment was part of the reshuffling of Ministerial Portfolios in the Government of Tonga.

The Hon. Siaosi Taimani '‘Aho is a 39 year veteran of the Tongan Civil Service, and since. 2001 has been Tonga's first Commissioner for Public Relations.

He holds a BA from Auckland University and worked in the Ministries of Education and Health before joining Foreign Affairs. In 1976 he was posted to London as First Secretary at the Tonga High Commission, and 1980 returned to Tonga as Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

In 1982 he became the first person in the new post of Secretary to Cabinet at the Prime Minister'’s Office.

In 1983, he was promoted to Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

In 1986 he was posted to London as the High Commissioner of Tonga to the Court of St. James, and was concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the European Commission and the European Economic Community.

Upon his recall at the completion of his diplomatic tour, Siaosi 'Aho became the first occupant of the new post of Secretary of Justice in November, 1989, which he held for 12 years.