Vanuatu
 

1887 - 20 Oct 1906 Anglo-French Administration      20 Oct 1906 - 1953  British Administration   1953 - 18 Feb 1980  British Administration   20 Oct 1906 - 18 Feb 1980 French Administration 29 Nov 1977 - 11 May 1978 VP People's Prov. Govt.  Adopted 18 Feb 1980 Map of Vanuatu Hear National Anthem "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi"  (We, We, We) Text of National Anthem Adopted 1980 Constitution (30 Jul 1980) Capital: Port-Vila  Currency: Vanuatu Vatu (VUV); 1945-81 New Hebrides CFP Franc  (NHF); 1941-45 New Hebrides  Franc (NHF); 1914-41 British   Pound (GBP); 1914-41 French  Franc (FRF) National Holiday: 30 Jul (1980)  Independence Day Population: 288,037 (2018) GDP: $772 million (2017) Exports: $44.7 million (2017) Imports: $273.7 million (2017) Ethnic groups: Melanesian 99.2% (Ni-Vanuatu), non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016) Total Paramilitary Force: 575 (2012) Merchant marine: 405 ships (2018) Religions: Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009) International Organizations/Treaties: ACP, ADB, AIIB, AOSIS, APA (observer), APM, BTWC, C, CTBT, CWC, ESCR, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, IRENA, ISA, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MSG, NAM, NPT, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PC, PIF, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNFCC-KP, UNFCC-PA, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Vanuatu Index Chronology  1 May 1606                Discovered by Spanish Capt. Pedro Fernández de                              Quirós, landing on an island he names Terra                              Austrialis del Espiritu Santo (Espiritu Santo). 23 May 1768                Re-discovered by Louis-Antoine de Bougainville,                              and named Archipel les Grandes Cyclades. 17 Jul 1774                Visited by British Capt. James Cook, named the                              New Hebrides. 1825 - 1887                British trader Peter Dillon trades from the                              islands, followed by Protestant missionaries and                              French traders and settlers from New Caledonia. 24 Sep 1853                French Admiral Febvrier-Despointes draws up the                              act of possession by France of New Caledonia                              and its "dependencies" (but does not indicate                              which 'possessions'). Feb 1878                   Neutral territory, British settlers are under the                               jurisdiction of the governor of Fiji. 24 Oct 1887                Anglo-French joint Naval Commission instituted. Aug 1889 - 1890            Independent Commune of Franceville declared at Port                              Vila (in dissidence). Jul 1900                   French settlers placed under the jurisdiction of                              the governor of New Caledonia. 20 Oct 1906 - 1980         Anglo-French condominium over the islands declared                              (New Hebrides/Nouvelles-Hébrides). 1906 -  2 Jan 1976         British administration under the British Western                              Pacific Territories. 20 Jul 1940 - 1945         French administration loyal to the Free French. 18 Mar 1942 - 1945         U.S. forces stationed in the New Hebrides. 1965                       Matthew and Hunter Islands declared attached to the                              Anglo-French Condominium of New Hebrides by U.K.  1 Jun 1980 - 31 Aug 1980  Attempted secession by Espiritu Santo (Vemerana). 30 Jul 1980                Independence (Republic of Vanuatu). Provinces (from 1994) Na-Griamel, Vemerana (1980) Tanna, Tafea (1973-1974, 1980)

British Naval Commissioners (the Commanders-in-chief of the Australia Station)
 1 Feb 1887 - 10 Sep 1889  Henry Fairfax                      (b. 1837 - d. 1900)
10 Sep 1889 - 12 Sep 1892  Lord Charles Montagu Douglas Scott (b. 1839 - d. 1911)
12 Sep 1892 -  1 Nov 1894  Nathaniel Bowden-Smith             (b. 1838 - d. 1921)
 1 Nov 1894 -  1 Nov 1897  Cyprian Arthur George Bridge       (b. 1839 - d. 1924)
 1 Nov 1898 -  1 Oct 1900  Hugo Lewis Pearson                 (b. 1843 - d. 1912)
 1 Oct 1900 - 10 Nov 1902  Sir Lewis Anthony Beaumont         (b. 1847 - d. 1922)
10 Nov 1902 - 10 Sep 1905  Sir Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe      (b. 1847 - d. 1936)
10 Sep 1905 - 31 Dec 1907  Sir Wilmot Hawksworth Fawkes       (b. 1846 - d. 1926)
British Resident Commissioners (subordinated to the high commissioners 
for the Western Pacific [at Fiji to 1952, then at the Solomon Islands])
1902 - 1907                Ernest Goldfinch Rason             (b. 1851 - d. 1915)
Dec 1907 - 1924            Merton King                        (b. 18.. - d. 1939)
1924 - 17 Aug 1927         Geoffrey Whistler Bingham Smith-   (b. 1879 - d. 1927)
                             Rewse           
1927 - 1940                George Andrew Joy                  (b. 1896 - d. 1974)
 3 Sep 1940 - 1950         Richard Denis Blandy               (b. 1891 - d. 1964)
10 Nov 1950 - 1955         Hubert James Marlowe Flaxman       (b. 1893 - d. 1976)
                             (from 10 Jun 1954, Sir Hubert James Marlowe Flaxman)
1955 - 1962                John Shaw Rennie                   (b. 1917 - d. 1981)
Sep 1962 - 1966            Alexander Mair Wilkie              (b. 1917 - d. 1966)
1966 - 1973                Colin Hamilton Allan               (b. 1921 - d. 1993)
1973 - 1975                Roger William Houssemayne du       (b. 1922 - d. 2020)
                             Boulay
1975 - Oct 1978            John Stuart Champion               (b. 1921 - d. 1994)
Nov 1978 - 30 Jul 1980     Andrew Christopher Stuart          (b. 1928 - d. 2014)
British High Commissioners (in London)
Dec 1973 - 1976            Edward Noel Larmour                (b. 1916 - d. 1999)
Dec 1976 - 1977            Henry Sydney Herbert Stanley       (b. 1920 - d. 1995)
1977 - 1980                Richard Stratton                   (b. 1924 - d. 1988)
French Naval Commissioners (the Commanders of Naval Division of the Pacific Ocean
[Chef de la Division navale de l'Océan Pacifique])
Jan 1886 - Feb 1888        Adolphe-Laurent-Anatole Marc       (b. 1832 - d. 1889)
                             de Blond de Saint-Hilaire        
28 Feb 1888 - 1890         Auguste Alfred Lefèvre             (b. 1828 - d. 1907)
Aug 1889 - 1890            Ferdinand Albert Chevillard        (b. 1851 - d. 19..)
                             (mayor of Franceville, in dissidence)
Apr 1891 - 1893            Emile Parrayon                     (b. 1834 - d. 1913)
15 Feb 1893 - 1895         Charles Courrejolles (1st time)    (b. 1842 - d. 1903)
1896? - 1898               Jean Fort                          (b. 1845 - d. 1913)
1898 -  1 Mar 1899         René-Julien Marquis                (b. 1846 - d. 1929)
 1 Mar 1899 - 24 Sep 1900  Charles Courrejolles (2nd time)    (s.a.)
                             (commander of Naval Division of the Far East)
Sep 1900 - 1901            Paul Louis Germinet                (b. 1846 - d. 1914)
1901 - 1903                Léon Barnaud                       (b. 1845 - d. 1909)
 5 May 1903 - 1905         Paul Adigard                       (b. 1853 - d. 1907)
15 Feb 1905 - 1907         Marc Gilbert Paul Hautefeuille     (b. 1852 - d. 1923)
French Resident Commissioners (subordinated to the high commissioners in the
Pacific Ocean [from 22 Mar 1907 the governors of New Caledonia])
28 Aug 1901 - 1905         Gaudence Charles Faraut            (b. 1861 - d. 19..)
 3 Jan 1905 - Jan 1908     Charles Auguste Jules Victor Bord  (b. 1865 - d. 1942)
28 Jan 1908 - Jun 1908     Jean-Martin Colonna (1st time)     (b. 1864 - d. 19..)
                             (acting)
24 Jun 1908 - Dec 1909     Charles Henri Adrien Noufflard     (b. 1872 - d. 1952)
28 Dec 1909 - 27 Jul 1910  Jean-Martin Colonna (2nd time)     (s.a.)
                             (acting)
27 Jul 1910 - 1911         Jules Martin (acting)              (b. 1855 - d. 19..)
24 Jul 1911 - 15 Nov 1911  Alfred Jean-Baptiste Dominique     (b. 1868 - d. 1935)
                             Jules Solari (1st time)(acting)
15 Nov 1911 - 1913         Jules Vincent Repiquet             (b. 1874 - d. 1960)
                             (acting to 1 Jul 1912)
23 Jun 1913 - 1916         Louis Jacques Miramende (1st time) (b. 1869 - d. 1968)
 9 Nov 1916 - 1918         Edmond Joseph Hilarion Paul        (b. 1875 - d. 1936)                              Lippmann (acting)         
1918 - 30 Dec 1918         Lucien Hugues Arthur Nielly        (b. 1880 - d. 1959)
30 Dec 1918 - Jun 1920     Alfred Jean-Baptiste Dominique     (s.a.)
                             Jules Solari (2nd time)(acting)        
Jun 1920 - 1921            Louis Jacques Miramende (2nd time) (s.a.)
18 Jun 1921 -  6 Sep 1921  Albert Jean Marie Boisivon (acting)(b. 1873 - d. 19..)
 6 Sep 1921 - 1923         Henri Marie Joseph d'Arboussier    (b. 1875 - d. 1930)
                             (1st time)
11 Aug 1923 - 15 Mar 1925  Auguste Adolphe Joseph Marie       (b. 1875 - d. 1936)
                             Raoul de la Vaissière (acting)
15 Mar 1925 - 1926         Henri Maire Joseph d'Arboussier    (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
 2 Aug 1926 - 1927         Paul François Joseph Ballot
                             (acting)
1927 - 1929                Henri Maire Joseph d'Arboussier    (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
 6 Apr 1929 - 30 Mar 1930  Gabriel Henri Joseph Thaly (acting)(b. 1875 - d. 1967)
30 Mar 1930 - 1931         Maurice Georges Tronet (acting)  
26 Jul 1931 - 1933         Antoine Louis Carlotti             (b. 1871 - d. 1956)
19 Mar 1933 - 1935         Henri Camille Sautot (1st time)    (b. 1885 - d. 1963)
                             (acting to 20 Jun 1934)
16 Apr 1935 - Jan 1937     Fernand Gaston Georges Émile       (b. 1896 - d. 1985)
                             Robert Casimir (acting)
Jan 1937 - 18 Mar 1937     Léon Alexandre Frédéric Le Boucher
                             (acting)
18 Mar 1937 - Sep 1940     Henri Camille Sautot (2nd time)    (s.a.)
13 Sep 1940 - 1947         Robert Charles Henri Kuter         (b. 1900 - d. 1987)
30 Nov 1943 - 31 May 1944  Alfred Albert Louis Hubert Georges (b. 1907 - d. 1978)
                             Houques dit Fourcade
                             (acting for Kuter)
23 Sep 1946 - Jan 1947     Alfred Albert Louis Hubert Georges (s.a.)
                             Houques dit Fourcade
                             (acting for Kuter)
Feb 1947 - 1949            André Ménard                       (b. 1907 - d. 1988)
10 Dec 1949 - 1958         Pierre Amédée Joseph Émile Jean    (b. 1913 - d. 1996)
                             Anthonioz (acting to 24 Jun 1950) 
11 Jun 1954 - 1955         Marcel Paul Joseph Agostini        (b. 1907 - d. 1988)
                             (acting for Anthonioz)
15 Nov 1958 - 1959         Benjamin Marcel Favreau            (b. 1915 - d. 1994)
Dec 1959 -  5 Nov 1960     André Marie Théodore Bijon         (b. 1917 - d. 1991)
 5 Nov 1960 - 1965         Maurice Charles Jules Delannay     (b. 1919 - d. 2009)
Apr 1965 - 1969            Jacques Mouradian                  (b. 1910 - d. 1992)
 6 Nov 1969 - 1974         Robert Jules Amédée Langlois       (b. 1922 - d. 2004)
10 Dec 1974 - 1977         Robert Gauger                      (b. 1925 - d. 1995)
1977 - 1978                Bernard Pottier                    (b. 1942)
1978 - 30 Jul 1980         Jean-Jacques Robert                (b. 1920 - d. 2017)
Presidents
30 Jul 1980 - 17 Feb 1984  Ati George Sokomanu (1st time)     (b. 1937)            VP
17 Feb 1984 -  8 Mar 1984  Frederick Karlomuana Timakata      (b. 1937 - d. 1995)  VP
                             (1st time)(acting) 
 8 Mar 1984 - 12 Jan 1989  Ati George Sokomanu (2nd time)     (s.a.)               VP
12 Jan 1989 - 30 Jan 1989  Onneyn Morris Tahi (acting)        (b. 1944 - d. 1998)  VP
30 Jan 1989 - 30 Jan 1994  Frederick Karlomuana Timakata      (s.a.)               VP
                             (2nd time) 
30 Jan 1994 -  2 Mar 1994  Alfred Maseng Nalo (1st time)      (b. 19.. - d. 2004)  UPM
                             (acting)
 2 Mar 1994 -  2 Mar 1999  Jean-Marie Léyé Lenelgau Manatawai (b. 1932 - d. 2014)  UPM
 2 Mar 1999 - 24 Mar 1999  Nipake Edward Natapei Tua          (b. 1954 - d. 2015)  VP
                             Fanua`ariki (acting)
24 Mar 1999 - 24 Mar 2004  John Bennett Bani                  (b. 1941)            UPM
24 Mar 2004 - 12 Apr 2004  Roger Tom Abiut (1st time)(acting) (b. 1972?)           Ind
12 Apr 2004 - 11 May 2004  Alfred Maseng Nalo (2nd time)      (s.a.)               UPM
11 May 2004 - 29 Jul 2004  Roger Tom Abiut (2nd time)(acting) (s.a.)               Ind
29 Jul 2004 - 16 Aug 2004  Josias Moli (acting)               (b. 1954)            UPM
16 Aug 2004 - 16 Aug 2009  Kalkot Mataskelekele Mauliliu      (b. 1949)            NUP
16 Aug 2009 -  2 Sep 2009  Maxime Carlot Korman (acting)      (b. 1942)            UPM
 2 Sep 2009 -  2 Sep 2014  Iolu Johnson Abbil                 (b. 1942)            VP
 2 Sep 2014 - 22 Sep 2014  Philip Boedoro (acting)            (b. 1958)            VP
22 Sep 2014 - 17 Jun 2017  Baldwin Jacobson Lonsdale          (b. 1950 - d. 2017)  Non-party
17 Jun 2017 -  6 Jul 2017  Esmon Saimon (acting)              (b. 1955)            MPP
 6 Jul 2017 -              Tallis Obed Moses                  (b. 1954)            Non-party

Chief ministers
29 Nov 1977 - 22 Dec 1978  George Kaltoi Kalsakau             (b. 1930 - d. 2001)  NUP
29 Nov 1977 - 11 May 1978  Walter Hadye Lini (in opposition)  (b. 1942 - d. 1999)  VP
                             (chairman of People's Provisional Government)    
22 Dec 1978 - 29 Nov 1979  Gérard Leymang                     (b. 1937 - d. 2002)  TU
29 Nov 1979 - 30 Jul 1980  Walter Hadye Lini                  (s.a.)               VP
Prime ministers
30 Jul 1980 -  6 Sep 1991  Walter Hadye Lini                  (s.a.)               VP
18 Dec 1988 - 19 Dec 1988  Barak Tame Sopé Mautamata          (b. 1951)            MPP
                             (in opposition)
 6 Sep 1991 - 16 Dec 1991  Donald Kalpokas Masikevanua        (b. 1943 - d. 2019)  VP
                             (1st time) 
16 Dec 1991 - 21 Dec 1995  Maxime Carlot (1st time)           (s.a.)               UPM
                             (from Feb 1992, Maxime Carlot Korman)
21 Dec 1995 - 23 Feb 1996  Serge Rialuth Vohor (1st time)     (b. 1955)            UPM
23 Feb 1996 - 30 Sep 1996  Maxime Carlot Korman (2nd time)    (s.a.)               UPM
30 Sep 1996 - 30 Mar 1998  Serge Rialuth Vohor (2nd time)     (s.a.)               UPM
30 Mar 1998 - 25 Nov 1999  Donald Kalpokas Masikevanua        (s.a.)               VP
                             (2nd time)
25 Nov 1999 - 13 Apr 2001  Barak Tame Sopé Mautamata          (s.a.)               MPP
13 Apr 2001 - 29 Jul 2004  Nipake Edward Natapei Tua          (s.a.)               VP
                             Fanua`ariki (1st time) 
29 Jul 2004 - 11 Dec 2004  Serge Rialuth Vohor (3rd time)     (s.a.)               UPM
11 Dec 2004 - 22 Sep 2008  Ham Lini Vanuarora (1st time)      (b. 1951)            NUP
22 Sep 2008 -  2 Dec 2010  Nipake Edward Natapei Tua          (s.a.)               VP
                             Fanua`ariki (2nd time) 
 2 Dec 2010 - 24 Apr 2011  Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu      (b. 1957)            PPP
                             (1st time)
24 Apr 2011 - 13 May 2011  Serge Rialuth Vohor (4th time)     (s.a.)               UPM
13 May 2011 - 16 Jun 2011  Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu      (s.a.)               PPP
                             (2nd time)
16 Jun 2011 - 26 Jun 2011  Nipake Edward Natapei Tua          (s.a.)               VP
                             Fanua`ariki (3rd time)
26 Jun 2011 - 21 Mar 2013  Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu      (s.a.)               PPP
                             (3rd time)
21 Mar 2013 - 23 Mar 2013  Ham Lini Vanuarora (2nd time)      (s.a.)               VP
                             (acting)
23 Mar 2013 - 15 May 2014  Moana Carcasses Kalosil            (b. 1959)            GC
15 May 2014 - 11 Jun 2015  Joe Natuman                        (b. 1952)            VP
11 Jun 2015 - 11 Feb 2016  Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu      (s.a.)               PPP
                             (4th time)
11 Feb 2016 - 20 Apr 2020  Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas          (b. 1963)            RMC
20 Apr 2020 -              Bob Loughman Weibur                (b. 1961)            VP

Territorial Dispute: Matthew and Hunter Islands (île Matthew et île Hunter) east of New Caledonia claimed, from 1980 by Vanuatu, and France.

Party abbreviations: GC = Green Confederation/Confédération Verte (ecological, social welfare, est.2000); GJP = Graon Mo Jastis Pati/Land and Justice Party (Ni-Vanuatu cultural conservatism, traditionalist, reformist, est.2010); Ind = Independent; MPP = Melanesian Progressive Party (Anglophone, social-democratic, split from VP, est.1988); NUP = National United Party (social-democratic, Anglophone, split from VP, est.1991); PPP = People's Progress Party/Parti Progressiste Populaire (reformist, est.2001, split from MPP); RMC = Reunification of Movements for Change; UPM = Union des Partis Modérés (Union of Moderate Parties, conservative, Francophone, est.1981); VLP = Vanuatu Labour Party (est.1987); VP = Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party, socialist, Anglophone, 1971-77 named New Hebrides National Party [NHNP], est.1977); 
- Former parties: TU = Tan Union (Francophone, moderate, pro-independence, 1977-2001)

27 Dec 1975 - 1977 Na-Griamel	1 Jun  - 31 Aug 1980 Vemerana
Map of Vemerana	Capital: Luganville (Santo Town) (Fanafo [Vanafo] 1975-77)	Population: N/A

27 Dec 1975 - 1977         Federation of Self-governing Settlements of Na-Griamel declared
                             at Fanafo on Santo Island by the superior council of the Northern
                             islands (Aoba, Aore, Banks, Espiritu Santo [excepting
                             Luganville], Maewo, Sako, and Torres). Nagriamel deferred its
                             declaration of independence twice before, this goal was suspended
                             until the events of 1980.
 1 Jun 1980                Independent State of Vemarana declared on Espiriu Santo
                             Island (in dissidence from the New Hebrides Condominium to
                             30 Jul 1980, then Vanuatu).
30 Jun - 24 Jul 1980       Malakula Island attempted N'Makiaute secessionists.
24 Jul 1980                New Hebrides Condominium authorities occupy capital Luganville.
31 Aug 1980                Vemerana state suppressed.

Chief President of the Upper Council of the Federation of Na-Griamel
24 Dec 1975 - 1977         Moli Jimmy Tubou Patuntun Stevens  (b. 1927 - d. 1994)  NG
Chief Minister of the Provisional Government of the Independent State of Vemarana
 1 Jun 1980 - 31 Aug 1980  Moli Jimmy Tubou Patuntun Stevens  (s.a.)               NG

Party abbreviation: NG = Na-Griamel Kastom Movement (Ni-Vanuatu traditionalist, Espiriu Santo separatist, 1962-1980)

24 Mar 1974                Independence of Tanna Nation proclaimed at Imafin
                             on Tanna Island (not recognized).
18 Jun 1974                French forces occupy Tanna Island.
29 Jun 1974                Tanna suppressed by New Hebrides Condominium authorities.
 1 Jan 1980                Independence of TAFEA proclaimed by the Kapiel Alliance
                             at Lamlu, Tanna Island (for Tanna, Anatom, Futuna, Erromango
                             and Aniwa Islands)(Provisional Government of TAFEA).
26 May 1980                British forces take the capital Lamlu, ending the rebellion.

King of the Tanna Nation
24 Mar 1974 - 29 Jun 1974  Antoine Fornelli (Fournalli)       (b. 1919 - d. 1999)
Leader of the Provisional Government of Tafea
 1 Jan 1980 - 26 May 1980  Alexis Yolou (Iolu)                (b. c.1950 - d. 1980)