Michael Thomas Somare

Sir Michael Thomas Somare (9 April 1936 – 26 February 2021) was a Papua New Guinean politician. He was the first Prime Minister following independence and is frequently referred to as the "father of the nation" (Pablo Kantri in Tok Pisin). Somare was the longest-serving prime minister at the time of his death, holding the position for 17 years across three different terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011. He was active in politics from 1968 until his retirement in 2017. Along with being prime minister, he also held the positions of opposition leader, minister of foreign affairs, and governor of East Sepik Province.

He performed a range of duties. His support came mostly from East Sepik Province, where he was elected, not from political parties. He served in the House of Assembly for much of his political career then, following independence in 1975, the National Parliament representing the later-open East Sepik Provincial seat. At the end of colonial rule, he served as the first chief minister. From 1975 to 1980, he served as the country's first Prime Minister following independence. His longest tenure as prime minister was from 2002 to 2011. He returned to the job from 1982 to 1985 and so on.

Somare was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) by the Queen in the Birthday Honours List of 1990 and appointed a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council in 1977. In 2004 he received approval from cabinet to establish an honors system for Papua New Guinea He was made one of the inaugural Grand Companions of the Order of Logohu by the Princess Royal in 2005. (GCL)