Page 12 - IB APR 2017

TradePolitics
End of the

road for

Somare

for the last time. Photo: Sam Vulum
that the drive to gain independence was Sir MIchael Somare and Lady Veronica leave Parliament
the government. In January 2012 Sir Mi-
about proving PNG’s indigenous people chael returned to Parliament and attempted
could rule themselves. to retake his seat but was rebuffed. The
“I chose a life of challenges and service situation remained unsettled until that
to my people; I always respect the true year’s elections, which began in late June.
meaning of public service. It started as Vote counting continued through July,
teacher, later on an information officer, a and on August 1 the PNC was declared
broadcast officer which gave the platform the winner. Two days later Mr O’Neill was
by Sam Vulum to convince the territory that we must elected prime minister by a large majority
AN era came to an end on April 4 when become a country, not a dependent but a of the legislature. Sir Michael, who had
Papua New Guinea’s ‘father of the nation’ self- governing country,” he said. won reelection to his seat in Parliament,
and one of the longest serving parliamen- Sir Michael Somare served as PNG prime stepped down as leader of the National
tarians in the Pacific and the Common- minister in three separate stints spanning Alliance. He also announced his support
wealth, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare a total of 16 years. He took the country for O’Neill as prime minister.
took up his seat in Parliament for one last to independence as prime minister from However, his re-election to parliament
time to bid farewell. 1975 to 1980, then from 1982 to 1985 in the 2012 general elections was seen as
Exactly 49 years earlier, a younger and then from 2002 to 2011where he was vindication and a sign of his huge popu-
Michael Somare walked into the House controversially ousted when parliamentar- larity with people in his native East Sepik
of Assembly in the Territory of Papua and ians declared his seat vacant on account province and also all across PNG.
New Guinea as a politician for the first time of his prolonged absense due to ill-health. As one of the men who drew up PNG’s
on April 4, 1968. Former cabinet minister Peter O’Neill, constitution, Sir Michael spoke about the
Sir Michael was retiring and his last leader of the People’s National Congress importance of supporting PNG’s demo-
sitting was also the conclusion of PNG’s (PNC) was elected as prime minister. cratic institutions.
ninth parliament before it adjourned for The ousting, and election of Peter O’Neill He challenged politicians to give promi-
the general elections in late June. as prime minister, was subsequently ruled nence to issues of national interest rather
The former prime minister was given a unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. than self-interest, and to respect parlia-
standing ovation as he gave his farewell However Sir Michael was effectively ment.
speech to parliament. blocked by parliament’s majority at the “I pray that Members of Parliament are
Sir Michael, who served this last five- time from taking up his position again. present when parliament is in session so
year parliament term as East Sepik Gover- He returned to Papua New Guinea in our people’s challengers are discussed, and
nor after his ousting as prime minister in early September from Singapore where he Standing Orders must be followed.
2011, said it had been a privilege to have underwent treatment, only to be removed “When we swore (on) the Bible at the
served the people of Papua New Guinea. from his parliamentary seat within hours Government House, we are promising that
“I practise national unity and I am proud of his arrival on the grounds of his hav- we are the servant to the people, it is im-
to be called the father of the nation,” said ing missed several sessions of Parliament portant to be fit and healthy in this house,
the man known in PNG as the ‘Grand without leave. He continued to pursue to know the importance of parliamentary
Chief’. reinstatement in his offices. His case was systems,” he said.
Highly respected throughout the Pacific furthered by a Supreme Court decision in Formerly a radio broadcaster before he
Islands region, Sir Michael was instrumen- early December that his ouster as prime entered parliament, Sir Michael forged a
tal in ushering PNG to independence from minister had been illegal. reputation as a charismatic leader with the
Australia in 1975, upon which he served Mr O’Neill, however, refused to step gift of being able to connect with people
as the country’s first prime minister. down and continued in office with rela- wherever he went.
He told those assembled in parliament tively broad support among members of Sir Michael has been married to Veronica

12 Islands Business, April 2017