Fiji Prime Minister Bainimarama Saddened by passing of Sir Michael Somare

 Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is saddened by the passing of his friend and  pacific iconic leader and  former  PNG prime minister Sir Michael Somare. 

Fiji PM [left] is saddened by passing of his friend Sir Michael [right]

Mr.Bainimaram expressed his sadness through a  social media statement saying,  

"Fiji has lost a dear friend with the passing of former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. He was more than PNG's founding father, his legacy as an architect of regional unity lives on in the hearts of all Pacific people. I deeply regret that I cannot be in PNG to pay my respects".

Sir Michael died at age 84 at Port Moresby's Pacific International  hospital early this morning. Late Somare's children and grandchildren released the following statement. 

"It is with great sadness that I on behalf of Lady Veronica Somare announce the passing of her beloved husband, the father of her children and grandchildren and great grandchild Sir Michael Thomas Somare at 12am on Friday 25 February 2021.

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 for our father.

Sir Michael was a loyal husband to our mother and great father first to her children, then grandchildren and great granddaughter. But we are endeared that many Papua New Guineans equally embraced Sir Michael as father and grandfather.

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.

Arrangements will be made in due course to take Sir Michael home to his final resting place 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.

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. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape says, NEC will meet today to discuss the arrangement of state funeral for late Sir Michael.

Next : Papua New Guinea mourns the loss of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare