Timor-Leste: Timor Leste 'Running Out of Money'

Mar 23, 2015 | Jonathan Pearlman, The Straits Times
View Original

 In an unusual power swop last month, Timor Leste's charismatic resistance hero Xanana Gusmao voluntarily handed over control of one of the world's newest nations to a mild-mannered medical doctor named Rui Araujo.It was perhaps to the credit of this tiny nation, which gained independence only 13 years ago, after a violent separation from Indonesia, that the handover was greeted with little fanfare and seemed so unremarkable.Mr Gusmao, the 68-year-old former guerilla fighter who became prime minister, will stay on as minister overseeing planning and investment. He also appointed several members of the Fretilin opposition as Cabinet members. Dr Araujo, 50, a former health minister, is a Fretilin member.

In an unusual power swop last month, Timor Leste's charismatic resistance hero Xanana Gusmao voluntarily handed over control of one of the world's newest nations to a mild-mannered medical doctor named Rui Araujo.

It was perhaps to the credit of this tiny nation, which gained independence only 13 years ago, after a violent separation from Indonesia, that the handover was greeted with little fanfare and seemed so unremarkable.

Mr Gusmao, the 68-year-old former guerilla fighter who became prime minister, will stay on as minister overseeing planning and investment. He also appointed several members of the Fretilin opposition as Cabinet members. Dr Araujo, 50, a former health minister, is a Fretilin member.