Page 7 - IB March 2021

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has shaped our engagement across the Pacific – we engage as
partners, willing to challenge one another in the interests of
our countries, but always with the peace and prosperity of
our region at heart.”
“As Australians we continue to be inspired by Sir Michael
Somare’s commitment to his nation and its vibrant democra-
cy. More broadly, Sir Michael’s message of the power in unity
and his courage to work cooperatively in the face of signifi-
cant challenges remains as relevant for our region as ever.”
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said: “Sir
Michael Somare is not only a leader for Papua New Guinea
but also a leader of the Melanesian block as well as the wider
Pacific region. He has left a leadership vacuum that can’t be
matched by the current and future generations.”
Sir Michael’s passing led to a literal outpouring of emotion.
The depth of grief was palpable at the Haus Krai and services
across the Pacific. PNG’s current Prime Minister James Marape
apologised to anyone embarrassed by his tears, saying “I have
many very close moments with this great Sana and seeing you
all throughout our country crying in unison, my bottle of emo-
Scenes from Sir Michael Somare’s funeral. Photos: Tom Katupi/Kalakai Photography tions broke.”

SIR MICHAEL SOMARE: FATHER OF THE NATION
Born in Rabaul in 1936, Somare returned to his home province of East Sepik as
a young boy. He schooled in Wewak during the Japanese occupation of New
Guinea, and went to teachers college in Sogeri. Sir Michael taught, and
worked as an interpreter for the Legislative Council and broadcast officer
with the Department of Information and Extension Services. He was Vice-
President of the Public Service Association, and was a founding member of
the Pangu Pati. He was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1968, and
was re-elected in 1972, becoming chief minister of a coalition govern-
ment. Sir Michael helped steer PNG to independence in 1975 as Prime
Minister, and was returned as prime minister in 1977. Deposed by Sir Julius
Chan through a no-confidence vote in 1980, he returned to the prime
ministership after the 1982 election, but was removed by his then Deputy,
Paias Wingti, in 1985. Somare founded the National Alliance in 1994, and
was re-elected to the prime ministership in 2002, where he remained until
MPs led by Peter O’Neill moved in parliament that the prime minister-
ship was vacant (Sir Michael being in Singapore at the time for medical
treatment) and elected O’Neill as Prime Minister. The Supreme
Court disputed that, but O’Neill refused to vacate and won
office in the 2012 elections. Sir Michael also stood
in that election, and was elected to the
East Sepik Provincial seat. Sir Michael
resigned in 2017. He died at 84 from
pancreatic cancer.
For a more detailed political
history, read our April 2017
article at the end of Sir
Michael’s parliamentary
career online.

Islands Business, March 2021 7