DILI, 15 february 2024 (TATOLI) – Sérgio Hornai was sworn in today by the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, as the new Minister of Justice, replacing Amândio de Sá Benevides who passed away last month.
In his speech, the Head of State emphasized the importance of the role of justice, asking the minister to improve the justice sector.
“The minister is a young man with experience of service in the justice sector. He was a public defender and a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC). I believe that he will assume the position with responsibility,” said Ramos Horta in his speech at the swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Palace in Dili.
Hornai thanked the government for the trust placed in him, saying that he would work to implement the programs that the government had allocated the budget.
Hornai was born on 21 november 1974 in the municipality of Lautém. From 1997 to 1999 he was President of the Students’ Association of the National Resistance of East Timorese Students (RENITIL) in Bali, Indonesia.
From 2007 to 2013, he was Commissioner of the National Elections Commission. In 2019, he was appointed Commissioner of the CAC and his mandate ended in 2023. He also worked as a public defender from 2009 to 2018.
In 2012, he received the Order of Timor-Leste, awarded by the former President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak.
Present at the ceremony were the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, the Attorney General, Deolindo dos Santos, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, as well as other government members.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
