New Flags Flying - Pacific Leaders Remember
Part 12 Vanuatu
Significant events since independence
August 1980 Lini Government sends French/British troops home; asks Papua New Guinea to help. Terrorist activity on Santo increases.
PNG troops arrest Jimmy Stevens and some foreigners.
September 1980 PNG troops leave. Vanuatu Police charge several hundred people associated with rebellion. Jimmy Stevens sentenced to 14.5 years prison.
1981 Most prisoners released. Vanuatu official denied entry to New Caledonia. French Ambassador asked to leave Vanuatu.
1983 Vanuaaku Party re-elected.
1987 Vanuaaku Party splits; Coalition governs under PM Lini.
1991 Coalition of Vanuaaku/Union of Moderate Parties governs under Maxime Carlot Korman (first francophone PM).
1996 Coup d'etat attempt fails.
1997 Asian Development Bank programme; tax/public service reforms
1999 Father Lini dies. Barak Sope, leader of Melanesian Progressive Party, elected PM.
2002 Sope convicted of forgery.
2003 Sope pardoned.
2004 President Alfred Maseng steps down when criminal record revealed, replaced by K Mataskelekele. Serge Vohor elected PM, replaced by Ham Lini after no-confidence vote.
2008 Coalition governs under PM Edward Natapei.
2009 Natapei survives no confidence motion.
Colonial homestead