Sir Michael Somare

In remembering him on the first anniversary of his passing, Prime Minister James Marape said the late Founding Father united the nation for over 4 decades.

“In life he united the nation and also in death, he united the nation,” stated the PM.

“It wasn’t easy, the last year we lived through.

“Of course, his passing was the biggest event that took place last year, but we were encouraged by the fact that the nation united.

“God save givim, God save kisim.

To coincide with the country’s 46^th Independence Anniversary today the people of Matupit in Rabaul district organized a special Tolai traditional Tumbuan and kutu tabu rituals to honor and remember Sir Michael’s original birthplace at Rapindik near Matupit.

At around 10 am the coffin arrived at the Parliament house, where the casket draped with the PNG Flag was carried and escorted by pallbearers who are members of the disciplinary forces, from the entrance of the Parliament House, and into the Parliament Grand Hall. 

The body will lay in state as the Parliament conduct a special parliamentary sitting in honor of the Grand Chief. 

The coffin was received by Parliament Speaker Job Pomat. 

Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae and Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika are part of today’s proceedings. 

In a statement issued by Betha Somare this afternoon the Somare family home went onto lockdown as of Yesterday (March 5th). 

She said while they have been following COVID protocols the family thought it was prudent to be cautious in light of the increasing number of COVID cases in NCD, and arranged for COVID tests to be carried out last week on all family members and relatives that came to assist and grieve the passing of Sir Michael.

In February 2021, cases rose steeply, with 449 cases reported in the month of February alone, bringing the total to 1,365 with 14 deaths.

The World Health Organization has intensified collaboration with the Government as mass gatherings to commemorate the country’s founding prime minister threaten to accelerate already rising cases of COVID-19.

Nasfund Board Chairman, Charles Vee, said this in a statement in honour of the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

“The Board, Management, Staff and Members of National Superannuation Fund Limited, (Nasfund), join Papua New Guinea in offering our condolences to Lady Veronica, children – Bertha, Sana, Arthur, Michael Jnr and Dulciana, Grandchildren and Great Grandchild, on the passing of our Nation’s Founding Father, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare,” said Chairman Vee.

In a press conference today, Marape said the decision was not easy to make but after a lot of diligent considerations of all factors between the family, the NEC and the Funeral Working Committee, a final resolution was made. 

Prime Minister Marape told the media that it was the wishes of the people of this country and also according to a political decision, for all Prime Ministers of the country to be buried on Independence Hill.  

However it will not be so for the Father of the Nation, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.

We repost this profile, as a mark of respect for his passing today. May he Rest in Peace.

“When I was telling Papua New Guineans about independence, there were a lot of reluctance; a lot of  people did not want to say anything. They were frightened that the country will go bad.

But believe me, I stick by what I said. You’ll have independence, you’ll have celebrations, you’ll have hamamas in the country. And now people are very proud of the fact that 45 years is coming up on the 16th of September.

The late Sir Michael succumbed to his illness in the early hours of this morning, at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby.

His daughter Betha Somare released a statement on social media this morning, saying he was hospitalised after being diagnosed with a late stage pancreatic cancer.

The late Sir Michael leaves behind his wife lady Veronica, his five children, grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

Sir Michael Somare in a statement said as Bougainvilleans make their voices heard in the Referendum, it is his hope that PNG remains “united and free” in the aftermath of this historic poll.

He said the referendum is a powerful vote and he urged Bougainvilleans throughout PNG and abroad to be aware that 21 other provinces remain silent but watchful as they vote for either greater autonomy or Independence.

The Bougainville conflict was the result of issues that were never satisfactorily addressed in relation to the Bougainville Copper mine.