Background

One of the world’s newest countries

Timor-Leste is one of the youngest nations and among the poorest in Asia, with a turbulent past of colonial domination, foreign occupation and violent conflict.

The violent path to independence in 2002

The long struggle towards independence has left a legacy of bloodshed, violence and deep mistrust between and within groups but most significantly between the Timorese people and their authorities.

Major toll on human lives

While the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, the final report of the Timor-Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) released in 2006, reports that an upper estimate of 183 000 died during the conflict period.
Seen in context of the total original population base at the time of just 650 000 people, the death toll represents over a quarter of the country’s population. Locally the number of casualties and deaths are estimated to be even higher at over 200 000. 

Independence has brought new challenges to Timor

In the first half of 2006, simmering tensions between the military and the police as well as internal divisions, brought long-standing rifts within Timorese society to the surface and resulted in violent confrontations between “youth gangs/martial arts groups.” Upwards of 160 000 people fled to rural districts or moved into camps for internally displaced people in and around Dili. A state of emergency was declared and international forces were called in to restore some semblance of peace, and the UN Security Council renewed a mandate for the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).

2007 Elections triggered more violence

The recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the summer of 2007 resulted in more turbulent times as supporters of Fretilin, the former ruling party, protested the decision of newly elected President Jose Ramos Horta to appoint former President Xanana Gusmao, the leader of a coalition of minority parties, as Prime Minister.
Violence was widespread in the districts of Baucau and Viqueque with many houses burned and people fleeing to the mountains. In Dili, the customs offices were burnt to the ground and Government and UN vehicles stoned and set alight.

Attempted assassination of the President in 2008

The 11th February there was an attempted assassination of the President – illustrating just how fragile peace really is.
Against this backdrop of violence, a fragile peace exists – although tensions are never far from the surface jeopardizing the country’s future.

Conditions for peace remain challenging

Extreme poverty - Timor-Leste remains extremely poor. With a per capita GDP of approximately US$ 460, this is less than half the level of other countries in the Asia and Pacific region. The daily reality is that over 40% of its population lives below the poverty line of US$1 a day.

Young people make up the majority of the population representing a threat to stability

The latest statistics indicate that 60% of the country is under the age of 18 (roughly 75% under 25) and that 75% of young men are members of organized youth gangs or ‘martial arts clubs’ so often implicated in political violence in Timor-Leste. Young people are extremely frustrated by the lack of economic opportunity and the rampant corruption, divisionism and nepotism that they believe is keeping them from  taking part in the country’s development. They also feel manipulated by the political elite into becoming their instruments of violence.

Unemployment

Unemployment is exceptionally high, with rates exceeding 40% in the major urban areas of Dili and Baucau. This, combined with widespread poverty and deteriorating living conditions, have heightened the frustration and resentment across all of the country over unmet expectations of the development progress that would follow independence.

Vulnerability

Several parts of the country suffer from irregular supply and frequent shortages of goods due to low productivity and poor distribution. As a result the Timorese population suffers from a lack of food security.. Persistent drought and periodic natural disasters add to the severe poverty and exacerbate an already existing sense of vulnerability.

Timor-Leste is struggling to deal with the multiple challenges it faces as it confronts both its recent past, the current situation and its future.

Most recently, the UN handover of policing responsibilities to the Timorese National Police, approval of key legislation, the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Commissioner and the creation of the country's National Development Plan (2011-2020) all suggest the country is on the path to peace - a key foundation for development and a better future for all.