BY SR MARY NOONAN
WHY IS SIR MICHAEL THOMAS SOMARE so keen to continue as prime minister?
Born 9 April 1936, and nearing 76 years of age, he has been prime minister almost forever (it seems to me).
From independence in 1975 until 1980; 1982-85. And recently from 2002-11.
His family announced his resignation due to ill health in June 2011. He went overseas to get treatment.
An election followed and Peter O’Neill was voted prime minister.
Now Somare is trying to take over again.
I wish he would let go and save PNG from further strife, allowing it to return to its original beauty.
Instead, PNG now has two prime ministers; in fact two cabinets, two of everything needed to run the country.
The Catholic Church has set a precedent. In 1378, there were two Popes. Neither would stand down.
After a general council in 1414, there were actually three Popes. None wanted to give in.
And that is when it was finally settled: a return to one Pope!
Now, Church leaders have appealed to both groups in PNG to settle the dispute and bring to Christmas the peace and goodwill of which the season is a symbol.
The PNG Police were at first divided in their loyalty between the two camps. Now those originally loyal to Somare have changed over – to proclaim that they also support O’Neill.
My hope is that Somare will give in. For one thing, the education of the PNG children has more hope of receiving some government funds under O’Neill.
If no agreement, the general election will be the only way to settle PNG’s predicament.
Let us hope and pray that the situation will end like a mountain– not an active PNG volcano!
Sister Mary Noonan (85) is a Tasmanian nun. She writes: “The happiest time of my life was spent in Papua New Guinea teaching in a seminary. I care deeply about the children in this loved land who cannot pay school fees. I love PNG, Ireland, music, movies, swimming and life.”
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