Page 6 - IB March 2021

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Scenes from Sir Michael Somare’s funeral. Photos: Tom Katupi/Kalakai Photography

GOODBYE TO THE CHIEF

By Samantha Magick understanding and the pursuit of regional unity.
“Regionalism and regional cooperation is only as strong as
After three weeks of mourning, Papua New Guinea’ found- the unity of its political leadership – this I fervently believe.
ing father, Sir Michael Somare, was laid to rest at Kreer Sir Michael constantly reminded all of the need to guard our
Heights in Wewak, East Sepik Province on March 16. unity as one regional family closely.”
In Port Moresby, a national Haus Krai saw thousands of Speaking at the same service, Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe
people pay their respects to Sir Michael and present their Bainimarama called Somare a true friend of Fiji. “He har-
condolences to the Somare family. Sir Michael then made his nessed that great empathy to what seemed to be an inex-
final journey home, after a brief mishap when his casket had haustible supply of energy to unite his new nation, but his
to be transported in an Australian air force plane, following vision was even greater, because he saw that Independence
protests from Papua New Guineans over the perceived disre- was only a first step, and that the new, developing nations of
spect shown to him when it appeared Sir Michael’s body was the Pacific needed to be united if they were to prosper. And
to travel in the cargo hold. we have.”
His state funeral bought Port Moresby and many other parts “Having first visited PNG in 1966 and represented Her
of PNG to a standstill, and Sir Michael was mourned across the Majesty the Queen at your Independence in 1975, I know what
region. a remarkable role Sir Michael played in leading his people to
In her eulogy at a memorial service in Suva, Pacific Islands independence, and then as prime minister and parliamentar-
Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor remembered ian in ensuring it accomplished democracy,” read another
that Sir Michael “belonged to a generation of Pacific Lead- message from Charles, Prince of Wales.
ers…who were tasked with pursuing self-determination and “The people of PNG have lost a statesman who had led
independence. They faced, head-on, the challenges of nation international efforts to protect one of our planets greatest
building and balanced the sensitivities of the western ideals assets our rainforest and the wider Asia Pacific community has
of democracy and good governance with our traditional and lost a wide eldest statesman.”
cultural values and ethos.” Sepik Governor Allan Bird said simply, “our father has left
“At a time such as this, where Pacific regionalism is at its us.”
most fragile, Sir Michael’s legacy reminds us of the practice of “It took one person to change the country. And he led with-
regional solidarity and cooperation where personal relations out fear and as a result we are here.”
at the political level such as that enjoyed by the late Ratu Sir An Australian Parliament condolence motion recognised
Kamisese Mara and Sir Michael, are paramount to fostering that “Australia’s engagement with PNG’s greatest statesman

6 Islands Business, March 2021