DILI, 28 november 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of Guinea Bussau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta, at the celebrations of the Proclamation of Independence Day, at the Presidential Palace, on november 28.
The award of the Medal of Honour is to recognize Embaló’s work in promoting friendship between the two peoples, reaffirming peace, and strengthening national stability.
In his speech, José Ramos Horta thanked Umaro Embaló for his presence, considering it “an honor”, not only because of their friendship, but above all because he represents the brotherhood of the Guineans.
The Head of State took the opportunity to congratulate the Guinean people on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, which was celebrated on september 24.
Ramos Horta also considered that Guinea-Bissau’s independence celebrations not only pay tribute to the country’s founders, including the leader of the armed struggle, Amílcar Cabral, but also to recall the “liberating process that inspired the proclamation of East Timor’s independence” on november 28, 1975.
President Embaló said he was present at this celebration and, on behalf of the Guinean people, reaffirmed the “same solidarity between the two peoples in the resistance to colonial domination, as well as against foreign occupation, and the Timorese people chose the values of freedom and the right to self-determination and independence”.
“I thank President Horta for the decoration that the Timorese state has just awarded me as President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. I believe that this high distinction granted to me in a personal capacity is also intended to enhance the historical relations between the Guinean people and the Timorese people, as well as to project friendship and solidarity between Guinea-Bissau and Timor-Leste into the future,” said the Guinean Head of State.
Umaro Embaló emphasized that Guinea-Bissau will always stand by Timor-Leste because, from the beginning, the country supported the Timorese people’s struggle for independence. The Head of State also recalled that after East Timor proclaimed independence, Guinea-Bissau was one of the first countries to recognize the Timorese state. The Guinean President also promised to return in the next two years to take part in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s independence.
“This year we are celebrating 50 years of Guinea-Bissau’s existence and we are always side by side with our Timorese brothers. We are very happy and thank you once again for the way you have welcomed us here in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.”
President Embaló is a military veteran and has long held political office in Guinea-Bissau. He was elected President for the first time in 2020, after having served as Prime Minister between 2016 and 2018. Observers say that during his mandate, President Embaló has preferred a reformist path toward promoting stability in Guinea-Bissau.
The award of the Grand Collar medal is a recognition of President Embaló’s dedication to the development of Guinea-Bissau through diplomacy and international cooperation. “This is an honor for Timor-Leste and for Guinea-Bissau,” said Ramos Horta.
Ramos Horta also awarded the Vice-Prime Minister, Mariano Assanami Sabino, the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Ágio Pereira, the former Presidents of the National Parliament, Aniceto Guterres Lopes and Arão Noé de Jesus, as well as the Member of Parliament, David Dias Ximenes.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
