Dili, May 27, 2019 (Lusa)
Former Timorese President José Ramos-Horta today defended that the current administrator of the Oecusse-Ambeno Special Administrative Region (RAEOA), Mari Alkatiri, should be reappointed when his term expires in July.
Ramos-Horta’s Case for Renewal
“I think it should be renewed if it so desires. The work is almost finished in terms of infrastructure, but now it is necessary that someone like him continues for the next phase, which is to attract private investment,” said Ramos-Horta in declarations to Lusa.
“The infrastructure is there, and now we need private investment. It cannot continue to be just the state,” he added, arguing that someone like Alkatiri — with “the capacity to dialogue, persuade and attract foreign investment” — is the right person for the next phase.
Political Context
Ramos-Horta’s statements come as Alkatiri’s five-year term leading both the RAEOA and the Special Zone of Social Market Economy (ZEESM) in the Oecusse-Ambeno enclave nears its end on July 25.
Alkatiri is the leader of the Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor (Fretilin), the largest party in parliament but currently in opposition. His potential reappointment has been questioned by members of the governing coalition parties, who have raised two main concerns:
- Audit controversy — Critics have pointed to aspects of Alkatiri’s initial management of the RAEOA, which was the subject of a disputed audit when governance was still shared with the central government.
- Presidential influence — Some government coalition members allege Alkatiri may have influenced President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo — who also serves as Fretilin’s president — on controversial decisions, including vetoing the state budget and blocking appointments of several government members.
Ramos-Horta Rejects Influence Claims
Ramos-Horta dismissed the allegations of undue influence outright, describing President Guterres Lu-Olo as “super independent” with a “strong personality.”
“I can guarantee 100 percent, within my role or my reputation that everyone knows, in which I try to be as free and balanced as possible, that Mari Alkatiri is too respectful of the President as President to be wanting to influence him in one way or another,” he said.
“He gave his opinion once about the budget and about the appointment of members of the Government, but he is not putting pressure on the President. I cannot say what he said to the President, but I must say that it does not strictly correspond to what he is accused of,” Ramos-Horta added.
Background: The RAEOA Mandate
Alkatiri was appointed for a five-year term by presidential decree on July 25, 2014, signed by then head of state Taur Matan Ruak, based on a proposal by then Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.
The 2014 law establishing the RAEOA and the ZEESM in Oecusse-Ambeno stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the position, a new president of the authority must be chosen within 120 days.