Declaration

Declaration of the "State of Vemerana," 1980

Jimmy Stevens declared Espiritu Santo independent shortly before Vanuatu's own independence.

What happened

In June 1980, Jimmy Stevens declared Espiritu Santo independent as the "State of Vemerana."[1]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: In June 1980, amid preparations for the 30 July 1980 independence of the New Hebrides (an Anglo-French condominium) as the Republic of Vanuatu, Jimmy Stevens, leader of the conservative Nagriamel movement, declared Espiritu Santo island independent as the "State of Vemerana" and styled himself its prime minister; the Nagriamel movement was backed by Francophone landowners, the Phoenix Foundation, and, covertly, the French government.

Source note

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