Ramos-Horta declares victory in East Timor presidential election

DILI, April 21 (Reuters) – Independence chief and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta has declared victory in East Timor’s presidential election, saying on Thursday that he had secured “overwhelming” assist and would now work to foster dialogue and unity.

Knowledge from the nation’s election administration physique (STAE) with all votes counted confirmed Ramos-Horta secured a decisive 62% win in Tuesday’s poll, effectively forward of his opponent, incumbent president Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres with 37%.

“I’ve obtained this mandate from our individuals, from the nation in an awesome demonstration of our individuals’s dedication to democracy,” Ramos-Horta instructed reporters in Dili.

The 72-year-old statesman is one among East Timor’s greatest recognized political figures and was beforehand president from 2007-12, and prime minister and international minister earlier than that.[nL3N2WH18Z]

Addressing considerations over political instability within the nation, Ramos-Horta stated he would work to heal divisions in East Timor, also referred to as Timor Leste.

“I’ll do what I’ve at all times accomplished all through my life… I’ll at all times pursue dialogue, patiently, relentlessly, to seek out widespread floor to seek out options to the challenges this nation faces,” he stated.

Ramos-Horta stated he had not spoken to his election rival Lu Olo, however had obtained an invite from the president’s workplace to debate a handover of energy.

House to 1.3 million individuals, the half-island and predominately Roman Catholic nation of East Timor has for years grappled with bouts of political instability and the problem of diversifying its financial system, which is basically depending on oil and fuel.

Ramos-Horta stated he anticipated East Timor to turn into the eleventh member of the regional bloc the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “inside this yr or subsequent yr on the newest.”

East Timor presently holds observer standing in ASEAN.

The president-elect, who will likely be inaugurated on Might 20, the 20 th anniversary of the nation’s restoration of independence, stated he would work with the federal government to answer international financial pressures, together with the impression on provide chains from the battle in Ukraine and COVID-19 lockdowns in China.

“In fact, we begin feeling it right here in Timor Leste. Oil costs went up, rice went up, that may be a actuality of what has occurred on the planet… It requires smart management.”

Reporting by Nelson Da Cruz; Writing by Kate Lamb; Modifying by Ed Davies

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