A Vanuatu naturalised citizen and investor, Robert Bohn, has launched a new political party on Epi Island to contest next year's general elections.
The name of his party is Vanuatu Progressive Development Party.
Mr Bohn, who is originally from the US, is the President of the party and has been chosen by the people of Epi as their election candidate.
Mr Bohn is reported by the Daily Post as saying the party's aim is to meet the development needs of the people in the rural sector without the help of the national government.
The party's secretary general, Peter Mawa, says Vanuatu is going through a period of transition after 30 years of independence
Epi Island stood out four years ago as the country's first island to elect two women, both from the Vanuaaku Pati, to represent it in the national parliament.
