The Borneo Post

Former guerilla set to be sworn in as East Timor leader

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DILI, East Timor: East Timor swore in a new government led by former guerilla fighter Taur Matan Ruak yesterday following a protracted political crisis that has paralysed the tiny Southeast Asian nation.

Ruak heads the s e cond government in less than a year in the impoverish­ed half-island nation that won independen­ce in 2002 after a brutal 24-year occupation by neighbouri­ng Indonesia.

Born Jose Maria Vasconcelo­s but universall­y known by his nom de guerre Taur Matan Ruak — which means “two sharp eyes” — Ruak was a commander in the East Timorese resistance before becoming chief of the newly independen­t nation’s army.

He also served in the largely ceremonial role of president between 2012 and 2017.

Parliament was dissolved in January amid tensions between former prime minister Mari Alkatiri’s minority government and an opposition centred around independen­ce hero Xanana Gusmao.

An alliance led by Gusmao clinched an absolute majority in elections held in May.

Ruak’s new government includes members of Gusmao’s National Congress for Timorese Reconstruc­tion ( CNRT), the People’s Liberation Party ( PLP) and the youth-based Khunto.

“My government... will take society and the people to a better future,” Ruak said yesterday. — AFP

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