Jimmy Stevens (politician)

Jimmy Stevens (1916 or 1920s – 28 February 1994), known as "Moses", was a Ni-Vanuatu nationalist and politician.

As leader of the conservative Nagriamel movement, he declared the independence of Espiritu Santo island as the "State of Vemerana" in June 1980 and referred to himself as "prime minister".

After the Republic of Vanuatu was granted independence in July, Prime Minister Walter Lini deployed Papua New Guinean troops and the revolt was crushed in August.

At Stevens' trial, it was revealed that Stevens and Nagriamel received US$250,000 from the American-based Phoenix Foundation, a libertarian group that previously attempted to establish an independent tax-haven state in Abaco Island, the Bahamas in 1973.

Stevens was convicted and sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment.