DILI (UCAN): Bishop Dom Norberto do Amaral of Maliana, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Timor-Leste, called on politicians to “take a role in maintaining peace and stability” rather than “attack each other or spread hatred in the presence of supporters.”
In a statement on April 11, he also asked political leaders to tell the truth and implement political promises they make during the election campaign.
Bishop Amoral’s statement comes amid what political analysts call the “heating up” of the country ahead of the campaign to elect lawmakers for the 65 seat parliament which begins on April 19.
Voters in one of the youngest countries in the world will be heading to the polls on May 21 for the country’s fifth parliamentary election since 2002.
A controversy surrounding the presence of the country’s president, Jose Ramos-Horta, at an event in Baucau organized by the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction [CNRT] Party led by Xanana Gusamo is a case in point.
Rival parties, including the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor Party [Fretilin], strongly criticised Horta.
Fretilin’s Antoninho Bianco said that “as a symbol of the unity of the nation and state as well as being the father of the nation, it was inappropriate for Horta to attend the event.”
Horta clarified on April 11 that he had not intended to provide support to the CNRT, but meant to express his gratitude for the party backing him for president.
“I haven’t seen them in almost a year. Because of that, I came to Baucau to express my gratitude to them,” he said.
CNRT and Fretilin are currently involved in a keen contest in parliament over the election of a new Corruption Eradication Commission chief.
Camilio Ximenes, a political analyst from the National University of Timor-Leste, said a bitter exchange of words between the main rivals sends a bad signal ahead of the crucial election process.
He said that “the government has to be extra careful while taking a stand and making public statements in order to maintain stability and avoid chaos” in the nation.
Timor-Leste has a dark history of political conflicts, and tensions continue between former freedom fighters who fought for the tiny nation’s independence from Indonesia.
