Fijian political party SODELPA has expressed sadness over the death of Papua New Guinea’s founding father Sir Michael Somare.

Party leader Viliame Gavoka says the party is mourning the passing of the visionary leader.

“Sir Michael was an exemplary and a true son of the Pacific who dominated not only Papua New Guinea’s politics but the Pacific region as well. He was a unifying figure for the Pacific region,” Mr Gavoka said in a statement issued today.

“Under Mr Somare’s extraordinary guidance and leadership, Papua New Guinea achieved independence and an enviable degree of stability in what became the defining hallmarks of his administration.”

Mr Gavoka said that his departure was not only a loss to Papua New Guinea but also for Fiji and the entire region.