Vanuatu

1999 has seen the consolidation of political events in Vanuatu from the mid-nineties onward. It began with sadness for Vanuatu with the death of Father Walter Lini in February. He had suffered a stroke in 1987, but had remained active in politics, and at the time of his death was the leader of the opposition. In order to understand Vanuatu's current political situation some awareness of the historical political alliances within Vanuatu is necessary. It is therefore appropriate to begin a consideration of 1999's political situation with a brief review of Lini's role in politics from the founding of Vanuatu.

Lini had been instrumental in Vanuatu's struggle for independence, and, as leader of the Vanua'aku Party (VP) had headed a stable government until 1987. The party's major opposition came from the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) which was formed by the union of several small francophone parties. These parties were largely distinguished by their support bases, with the Vanua'aku Party attracting anglophone and the Union of Moderate Parties francophone voters. This francophone-anglophone divide continues to be a presence in Vanuatu's politics. After Lini's stroke in 1987 his leadership began to be challenged by Barak Sope, whose challenges to VP policy led to his dismissal from the cabinet. In late 1988 Sope broke from the Vanua'aku Party and formed the Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP). Instability and dissatisfaction in the VP ranks continued to grow and in 1991, following a vote of no confidence, Donald Kalpokas replaced Lini as prime minister and leader of the Vanua'aku Party. As a result Lini formed the National United Party (NUP). In the elections of 1991 the Union of Moderate Parties, headed by Maxime Karlot Korman, narrowly defeated the Vanua'aku Party and quickly formed a coalition government with the National United Party.

Since 1991 the political situation has remained fluid, with politicians switching allegiances between parties fairly freely, to the detriment of governance. The only significant changes to the political parties since 1991 are Korman's formation of the Vanuatu Republican Party (VRP) in 1998 after rivalry between Korman and Serge Vohor, the leader of the Union of Moderate Parties, and the presence of members of Parliament drawing support from the Tanna-based John Frum movement.

The appointment of Vanuatu's first ombudsman, Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson, in 1994 resulted in the exposure of a number of scandals involving prominent politicians. As a result of these reports attacks on the position of ombudsman increased, with the Council of Ministers attempting to terminate her employment in 1997. Although that move was unsuccessful, after some legal scuffling the Ombudsman's Act was repealed. A new Ombudsman Act (no 27 of 1998) was passed in 1998, alongside a Leadership Code Act (no 2 of 1998). These new pieces of legislation can be used effectively to ensure transparent and accountable governance but have yet to be fully tested. In the middle of 1999 Ferrieux-Patterson came to the end of her term as ombudsman and was replaced by Hannington Alatoa. Since that time the office has been maintaining a lower profile, while the new ombudsman adjusts to his job.

The wrangle over the ombudsman helped to increase dissatisfaction in the government, and in early 1998, following an ombudsman's report detailing improper management within the Vanuatu National Provident Fund, rioting occurred. This resulted in a state of emergency being declared. Money that was paid out of the Provident Fund after this incident led to increased liquidity in the economy. As a result a 20 percent devaluation of the vatu was announced by the Reserve Bank. Although this devaluation was immediately revoked, the resultant instability deterred foreign investors. It also had a significant detrimental impact on tourism, which is a major area of economic activity for Vanuatu.

In this very unstable atmosphere, the elections were held in March 1998. No party gained a clear majority, and eventually the Vanua...