American Samoa's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has removed the cabinet member in charge of cultural affairs, Satele Galu Satele.
Our correspondent says it's understood that the governor met Satele last week and asked him to resign and to turn in his government vehicle, but Satele refused.
Lolo placed Satele on leave in January when he advised him to resolve disputes in his village of Vailoa that had stemmed from differences between Satele and a church pastor.
The Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs has been named acting secretary until further notice.
Pago Pago, American Samoa. Photo: AFP
