Papua New Guinea has lost a great man.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, the man who led the country to independence in September 1975, died of pancreatic cancer at the Pacific International Hospital in the country’s capital. He was 84 years old.
The national government has urged all flags to lower at half-mast to honour the great man.
In a statement, Somare’s family announced, “Sir Michael was only diagnosed with a late stage of Pancreatic Cancer in early February and was admitted to hospital on Friday 19 February 2021. Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers that are rarely detected early. We as a family had only two weeks to look for possible treatments.”
Born on April 9, 1936, in Rabaul, Sir Michael was an important politician leading PNG into independence on September 16, 1975. His political career ran from 1968 to 2017 and has been the longest-serving prime minister for 17 years. He has been a minister of foreign affairs, governor of East Sepik, and the leader of the opposition.
The family said, “As a man of great faith, we are pleased that Sir Michael was able to be given his last rites and Anointing by Cardinal Ribat. In our presence, Sir Michael opened his eyes to acknowledge the blessing by his Emminence before passing away peacefully. We take this opportunity to thank the Cardinal for making himself available so quickly.”
The family added that in due time, he will be laid to rest in the East Sepik province.
“We, his children know that it is the wish of both our parents to be laid to rest together on Kreer Heights in Wewak,” the family said. “We thank everyone who in those few days had worked so hard to save Sir Michael’s life be it through a Medivac, healthcare itself or providing transport. We also thank everyone who wrote in to express their support and offer their prayers to our father and our family. We are humbled.”
