Dili, June 12^th, 2020: HE the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, inaugurated, this Friday, in the Government Palace, the Former Regional Secretary of the Special Administrative Region of Oecússi-Ambeno (RAEOA) Authority, Arsénio Paixão Bano, as the new President of the RAEOA Authority, succeeding Dr. José Luís Guterres. This exchange was based on the Government Resolution no. 20/2020, of  June 10^th.

In the speech, following the inaugural ceremony, the Head of Government first explained that the appointment and dismissal of the President of the RAEOA Authority is a prerogative of the Government, granted by the Law no. 3/2014 of June 18^th, amended by Law no. 3/2019 of August 18^th.  Thus, the Government decided, through a Council of Ministers decision, on June 10^th, 2020, to dismiss Dr. José Luís Guterres from his role and appoint Arsénio Paixão Bano, as his successor.

Similarly, the Former President of the Republic then thanked the outgoing President of the RAEOA Authority, José Luís Guterres, for his contribution during the mandate, even if it was for a short period.

“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations, my special greetings and, above all, to thank Dr. José Luís Guterres, who took up his mission in a politically troubled period in our country. Furthermore, he took office at a time when the situation of COVID-19 arose in our country, affecting the population, but he still made a great effort to build a team, according to the existing conditions, capabilities and possibilities, and, thus, he was able to make his contribution. Regrettably, his mandate is over, but he leaves us his contribution. Personally, as Prime Minister, I would like to thank you and all your team, as well your family”, emphasized the Chief Executive.

On the other hand, the Head of Government offered congratulatory remarks to the new President of the RAEOA Authority, and asked him to take advantage of this role to bring development to all Oecússi, even with less financial resources available to the State, focusing on the needs of the people. The Head of Government also added that the Central Government will continue to render all the support to the performance in Oecússi-Ambeno.

Finally, the Head of Government also appealed to the people of Oecússi to unite and thus lead the region towards a prosperous future.

 “I would like to leave my appeal to the people of Oecússi to be united, and that this unity is not just words, but that should be translated into concrete actions. Everyone should watch to one another, to support all citizens, your relatives, your own family. There can’t be number one, number two, or number three. Everyone is from Oecússi, they are fellow countryman, they are Timorese, and therefore, Mr President, everyone is in your care, you are the driver, the pilot, so if the plane crashes, the responsibility is yours! If the ship sinks, it is your responsibility! If the car has an accident, it is your responsibility too! As for us, we can only give our support. The determining factor is you and your team, to whom I wish good luck”, pled the Chief Executive.

Meanwhile, in his statement to journalists, the Head of Government reaffirmed that the dismissal of José Luís Guterres from his role as the President of the RAEOA Authority is a consequence of the new political environment that has unfolded in the National Parliament, and is therefore a normal process in a democratic rule of law.

Taking part in the inaugural ceremony was also the Minister of the Presidency for the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Leite Magalhães, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Media, Francisco Jerónimo, as well as family members of the incumbent. END