DILI, East Timor: East Timor’s independence serves as a global example of conflict resolution through negotiation, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on the 25th anniversary of the nation’s vote to separate from Indonesia.
The anniversary, marked by a minute’s silence, a march in Dili, and speeches by key independence leaders like Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and President Jose Ramos-Horta, commemorates the courage and sacrifice of the Timorese people.
Guterres praised East Timor for its contributions to the world, transitioning from a host of U.N. peacekeepers to a country that sends its personnel to peacekeeping missions like in South Sudan. The struggle for independence saw pro-Jakarta militias retaliate violently after 78% of Timorese voted for separation in a U.N.-supervised 1999 referendum, leading to significant loss of life and destruction.
East Timor officially became independent in 2002, overcoming decades of occupation by Indonesia and, before that, Portugal. Today, the nation faces developmental challenges as it aims to diversify its oil-dependent economy and nurture future leaders, reflecting on its hard-fought journey to sovereignty.
