DILI, East Timor: Xanana Gusmao, the former independence fighter and national hero of East Timor, has been sworn in as the country’s prime minister after his party’s victory in the May parliamentary election. Gusmao’s National Congress of the Reconstruction of East Timor (CNRT) won 31 out of 65 seats in the National Parliament, forming a coalition government with the Democratic Party.
Amid cheers from the crowd, Gusmao, accompanied by his Cabinet members, traveled to the presidential palace in Dili, where they were sworn into office by President Jose Ramos-Horta, a fellow independence fighter during Indonesia’s occupation. This marks Gusmao’s return to power, having previously served as the nation’s first president from 2002 to 2007 and as prime minister from 2007 to 2015.
The poll result reflected a strong dissatisfaction with the previous government of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin). Zanana Gusmao’s coalition government is facing the challenge of addressing economic vows in a country where around 42 percent of the estimated 1.5 million population live below the poverty line. Malnutrition remains a significant concern, with the UN estimating that 42 out of 1,000 babies die before their fifth birthday due to malnutrition.
Gusmao emphasized his commitment to poverty reduction through the government’s strategic development plan and stressed the importance of national reconciliation and unity in achieving development goals. He pledged to give power to local governments to design their own development projects, particularly focusing on enhancing health services for children and mothers.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by international dignitaries, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s envoy, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
East Timor, Asia’s Youngest Country
East Timor, Asia’s youngest country, faces significant challenges despite having gained formal independence in 2002. With a majority of the population below 30 years old, the country struggles with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of basic infrastructure, including reliable electricity supply and paved roads in rural areas. The economy heavily relies on diminishing offshore oil revenues.
Gusmao’s return to power brings hope to the Timorese people, who look to his leadership and experience to bring about significant changes in addressing poverty and unemployment. As he embarks on his new term, the focus will be on implementing effective policies and initiatives to uplift the living standards of the population and foster sustainable development in East Timor.
