16 July 2012

Violence in East Timor after snub to party

SMH 17/07/2012 Michael Bachelard Violence erupted in East Timor late last night, apparently prompted by political party Fretilin being excluded from a role in the new governing coalition.

Police confirmed that bout 58 cars were burned and stones thrown at traffic in the capital Dili, as unrest also spread to the outer districts of Viqueque and Baucau. A number of cars were torched and early rumours were suggested that one person had died in the conflict in the Dili suburb of Comoro, outside the headquarters of the ruling CNRT party, but this now seems doubtful.

However, sources in Dili say most of the main roads are blocked as United Nations police patrol the poverty stricken city in an attempt to bring it under control.

Residents also reported the sound of either gunfire or gas canisters being shot around the western suburb of Comoro.

The fragile democracy had this year managed a presidential election and a run-off election for president, as well as parliamentary election without significant violence, but the announcement yesterday by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao that he would invite two minor parties into a coalition to form government for the next five years appears to have triggered an angry response from Fretilin supporters.

Until yesterday, hopes were high within Fretilin that they might also be invited to join a "government of national unity".

But Mr Gusmao dashed those hopes at a special meeting of his National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction in Comoro, Dili, by announcing he would govern with the Democratic Party and a new party which had broken away from Fretilin, Frenti-Mudanca.

Sources suggested that the violence had been triggered by one of the CNRT delegates at the meeting who strongly criticised the leaders and members of Fretilin, which has spent the past five years in opposition.

A source told Fairfax Media, the publisher of this report, that houses owned by CNRT figures in some of the outer districts may have been torched, but this remains unconfirmed.

East Timor was wracked by violence in 2006 and again in 2007, prompting Australian and United Nations forces to move into the country to help keep the peace.

The latest outbreak may jeopardise plans to leave at the end of this year, once the new government had been bedded down.

In last week's election, Mr Gusmao's party increased its vote from 24 per cent in 2007 to 36 per cent. Fretilin received 30 per of the vote and 25 seats, PD (Democratic Party) - backed by outgoing president Jose Ramos-Horta - gained 10 per cent and eight seats and Frenti-Mudanca 3 per cent and two seats.

The CNRT's general secretary said forming a coalition with PD and Frenti-Mudanca was in the best interest of stable government.

A Fretilin MP, Estanislau da Silva, said earlier he was not disappointed by yesterday's decision. ''We would have liked to contribute,'' he said. ''We have experience. But that is their decision.''

with Mouzinho Lopes and Joyce Morgan in Dili

2 comments:

Unknown said...

hello good Morning. Sir/ Maam you said that all main roads are closed so that means that the road to liquica - maubara district is also unpassable?. Im currently in Dili and Im a bit confused I have a work today. Do you think its much better if i will not go to work for the mean time?.

East Timor Law Journal said...

My apologies for not being able to reply to your question on time. If you work for an organisation in East Timor, it should have an emergency telephone tree so that everyone in the organisation can be in touch in times of crisis.

In my experience, it is best not be on the streets/roads during times of unrest and to stay in a secure place until things have settled down. Sometimes, your country's embassy can provide refuge in dangerous situations if you can get there safely.

You should also be registered with your contry's embassy or consulate.

Hoping you are ok. It seems that things are back under control now.