Vanuatus 1980 Santo Rebellion PDF Download

The Coconut War was the nickname for the rebellion on Espiritu Santo in 1979-80. The rebellion was not against the colonial powers, rather it was against the nascent government of Vanuatu. The French "Moderates" party wanted more say in the new government, including a slower path to Independence and stronger French culture in the new government. In an ironic play on their name of Moderates, they attacked the provincial government in Tanna and Espiritu Santo and declared Espiritu Santo and the northern islands the independent nation of Vemarana. But in 1980 it was the scene of a bizarre conflict, when a tribal leader called Jimmy Stevens, supported by an army of bow and arrow warriors, took over one of the northern islands and tried to break away from the powers of Britain and France. The British sent in their troops; the French theirs. But Jimmy and his men held firm. Award-winning journalist Richard Shears traveled to what was then known as the New Hebrides and became caught up in a most curious state of affairs, comic and tragic. It is doubtful that the Pacific will ever see anything like this kind of madness again. The author was dispatched to cover the story at the beginning of the conflict. The book is a chronicle of his adventures trying to find and then report on the Coconut War.