Covers the pre-independence political movements (the New Hebrides National Party/Vanua'aku Pati), the 1977 Paris conference, the 1979 constitution and election, independence on 30 July 1980, the 1980 Coconut War on Espiritu Santo, and UN admission on 15 September 1981. It does not cover the Anglo-French Condominium period before the 1970s in detail.
The New Hebrides had been administered jointly by the United Kingdom and France as an Anglo-French Condominium since 1906. The New Hebrides National Party, founded in 1971 by Walter Lini and renamed the Vanua'aku Pati in 1977, won the 1975 and 1979 pre-independence elections.[1] Following a 1977 conference in Paris and a constitution drawn up in 1979, the territory became independent as the Republic of Vanuatu on 30 July 1980, with Lini as first Prime Minister, adopting the new name in place of New Hebrides.[2][1] From June 1980, a secessionist uprising led by Jimmy Stevens' Nagriamel movement on Espiritu Santo declared the unrecognised "State of Vemerana"; it was suppressed by Papua New Guinean troops shortly after independence.[3] Vanuatu was admitted to the United Nations on 15 September 1981, following a unanimous Security Council recommendation.[4][5]
Status verified as of
Vanuatu has been an independent, UN-member state since 1981.[5]
History
From the Anglo-French Condominium over the New Hebrides, through the 1977 Paris conference, to independence as Vanuatu in 1980 and UN admission in 1981.
169 words · 1 min read
· Conflict episode
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.
Significance here: A brief secessionist conflict that immediately followed independence on one island.
· Declaration
The New Hebrides, jointly administered by the United Kingdom and France as an Anglo-French Condominium since 1906, became independent as the Republic of Vanuatu on 30 July 1980, following a 1977 Paris conference and a 1979 constitution.
Significance here: The end of joint Anglo-French rule and the establishment of Vanuatu as an independent state.
· Recognition
The Security Council recommended Vanuatu's admission to the United Nations on 8 July 1981, and the General Assembly admitted it on 15 September 1981.
Significance here: Formal international recognition of Vanuatuan statehood roughly a year after independence.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: The New Hebrides National Party was founded on 17 August 1971 by Walter Lini, in competition with the French-aligned Union of New Hebrides Communities; it won the 1975 election, was renamed the Vanua'aku Pati in 1977, and won the pre-independence 1979 election, making Lini chief minister and, from Vanuatu's independence, its first Prime Minister.
Claim: The New Hebrides had been administered jointly by the United Kingdom and France as an Anglo-French Condominium since 1906. Independence was agreed at a 1977 conference in Paris attended by British, French and New Hebridean representatives; elections were held and a constitution was drawn up in 1979. Vanuatu's Constitution came into effect upon the country's independence on 30 July 1980, replacing the name New Hebrides.
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.
Claim: On 8 July 1981, at its 2291st meeting, the Security Council, having examined the application of the Republic of Vanuatu, unanimously recommended to the General Assembly that Vanuatu be admitted to UN membership.
Claim: The General Assembly, at its 1st plenary meeting on 15 September 1981, having received the Security Council's recommendation and considered Vanuatu's application, decided to admit the Republic of Vanuatu to United Nations membership.