Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Note: on April 4, 2011, Prime Minister Somare was accused of misconduct and ordered to temporarily step down for 14 days by a leadership tribunal. Sam Abal becomes acting prime minister.

Date of Birth: 09 April 1936
Place of Birth: Rabaul, East New Britain Province

Marital Status: Married with five children and 8 grandchildrenACHIEVEMENTS

1957-1967 Broadcasting Officer & Teacher
1968 Elected to House of Assembly
1975-1981 First Prime Minister of PNG
1976 Honored Doctor of Humanity – University of Philippines.
1979 Doctor of Law – Australian National University, Australia
1981-1982 Leader of the Opposition
1982-1985 Re-elected Prime Minister of PNG
1982 Doctor of Technology – University Technology, Lae
1985-1987 Leader of the Opposition
1987 Continue to be elected to Parliament and continue to hold senior public office
1991 Doctor of Letters – University of Wollonggong, NSW, Australia
1996 Formed National Alliance
1999- Minister for Mining & Bougainville Affairs
2001 Leader of the Opposition
2002 Prime Minister of PNG

HONOURS AND AWARDS

1977, June 1: Appointed a Privy Councillor by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1978, June 8: Made a Companion of Honours (CH)
1991: Made Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG)
1992: Pontifical knighthood by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, Knight of the Equesterian Order of St.Gregory the Great (GCEG)

HONORARY AWARDS

1976: Conferred Doctorate of Humanities (Honoris Causa) Leiciana, Philippines
1978: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) Australian National University
1978: Conferred Doctorate of South Pacific (Honoris Causa) (Suva Fiji)
1983: Conferred Doctorate of Technology (Honoris Causa) University of Technology
1985: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) University of Papua New Guinea
1991: Conferred, Doctorate of Letters (Honoris Causa) Wollongong NSW Australia

On December 10, 2010, The Supreme Court rules that the reelection by the parliament on June 25 of Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane was unconstitutional and removes him from office. The speaker of parliament, Jeffery Nape, becomes acting governor-general on December 13 and the parliament will have to meet within 40 days to elect a new governor-general.