Conflict episode
Coconut War, 1980
Jimmy Stevens' Nagriamel movement led an uprising on Espiritu Santo from June 1980, declaring the unrecognised "State of Vemerana," which was suppressed by Papua New Guinean troops shortly after Vanuatu's independence.
What happened
From June 1980, Jimmy Stevens, head of the Nagriamel movement and backed by French-speaking landowners and the American libertarian Phoenix Foundation, led an uprising on the island of Espiritu Santo against local officials, declaring the unrecognised "State of Vemerana." Papua New Guinean troops suppressed the uprising after Vanuatu's 30 July 1980 independence; the conflict ended after Stevens' son was killed at a roadblock, and Stevens surrendered shortly afterward.[1]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: From June 1980, Jimmy Stevens, head of the Nagriamel movement and backed by French-speaking landowners and the American Phoenix Foundation, led an uprising on Espiritu Santo declaring the unrecognised "State of Vemerana." Papua New Guinean troops suppressed the uprising shortly after Vanuatu's 30 July 1980 independence; the conflict ended after Stevens' son was killed at a roadblock, and Stevens surrendered shortly afterward.
- Coconut War (Wikipedia) link, Background and Conflict sections. Source record