DILI, 30 august 2021 (TATOLI) – Amito Qonusere Araujo, Timorese journalist, launches his first book entitled “MAUNANA: Umilde no Revolusionáru”, written by Araujo himself and edited by his colleague Cancio ‘Cassimata’ Ximenes.
The book was jointly launched at the F-FDTL headquarters in Dili by the Chief of Staff of F-FDTL, Major-General Falur Rate Laek, former Major-General Lere Anan Timur, Secretary of State for Communications Merício Juvinal dos Reis ‘Akara’, Brigadier-General Cornelio Ximenes “Maunana”, and a member of the Centro Nacional Chega! Fr. Juvito Rego de Jesus Araújo.
The book describes the involvement of Brigadier-General Cornelio Ximenes ‘Maunana’ in the 24 years of resistance against Indonesian occupation. Maunana was one of the admired commanders of FALINTIL, who spent 24 years in the jungle fighting for the independence of Timor-Leste.
The title of the book reflects Maunana’s personality as a humble guerrilla commander with no interest in politics.
The book recounts Maunana’s leadership, braveness, and courage as he carried out a series of attacks on the Indonesian Army Post in the hamlet of Tchai in the village of Lore, in the Lautem district.
The book has 14 chapters and 227 pages which recount Maunana’s fighting stories during the 24 years of resistance under Indonesian rule.
At the book launching ceremony, Maunana called on academics to start writing the history of Timor-Leste’s guerrillas.
“I am happy that a younger generation from Lore village has written a book about my involvement in the 24 years of resistance. I wish that other younger generations can be aspired by Amito Qonusere Araujo to write more history books about other guerrillas before it is all too late,” Maunana said at the book launching ceremony at the F-FDTL’s headquarters in Dili, on tuesday.
He said that such a book would keep the memory of Timor-Leste’s resistance alive: “I think other guerrillas also need to write their own stories about their involvement in the Timor-Leste’s 24-year struggle.”
Amito Qonusere Araújo encourages others to write and publish history books about Timor-Leste’s 24-year resistance.
“We have to start writing our own history. We don’t need others to do it for us. If we don’t start now, then when should we start,” said Araujo.
He said he will release another book in november: “It’s another book of resistance.”
Amito Qonusere Araújo (author) is from the Tchai hamlet of Lore village. Araújo has 15 years of experience as a journalist. He has worked for different media platforms in Timor-Leste, including print, broadcasting, etc. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in international relations at UNPAZ university.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
