The man who led Papua New Guinea to independence, the country’s Grand Chief and longest-serving prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, has died in Port Moresby, aged 84. “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,” his daughter Betha Somare said in a statement. Sir Michael Somare speaking with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2002. Photograph: Rocky Roe/AFPHe served four terms as prime minister, from 1975 to 1980, from 1982 to 1985, and 2002 to 2010.

Source: The Guardian February 25, 2021 20:26 UTC