OEKUSI, 11 April 2025 (TATOLI) –The communities along the Oésilu border in the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse Ambeno (RAEOA) and Napan in the Timur Tengah Utara or North Central Timor (TTU) district expressed gratitude to the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia for the reopening of the Integrated Post in Oésilu and the Pos Lintas Batas Negara or State Border Post (PLBN) in Napan this year, aiming to facilitate the movement of communities across the border and ease import and export activities.
Joana Bobo, a resident from Bobometo village, Oecusse:
“Today, we saw representatives from 18 villages participating in the reopening of the Oésilu and Napan border, which had been closed for so long. In the past, when we wanted to cross to the other side, many incidents occurred as people traveled through illegal routes, which went against laws and led to crime. That’s why we, as a community near the border, are very grateful because now it’s more accessible compared to the distance we used to travel to Sakatu when addressing family matters or other needs.”
Cristovorus Abi, from Timur Tengah Utara (TTU):
“I see this as an extraordinary blessing for the TTU and Oecusse communities. Yesterday, at a traditional event, our community from Oésilu was overjoyed because this was the moment we’d been waiting for. We deeply missed having a border post that connects us again, because until now, we wanted to interact with our brothers and sisters in TTU or NTT in general but faced difficulties, especially relying on the distant Wini post. However, with the Napan post reopened, this will make it much easier for us as it’s closer.”
Agustinha Tani, a resident of Napan, Indonesia:
“Today, we are proud and want to express our gratitude to the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia because this border had been closed for six years, making it very difficult for us to go to Timor-Leste. Our families are also on the other side, so with this reopening, our concerns over these years have been resolved.”
Marcos Soni, from Bobometo village, Oésilu:
“As someone from Oésilu, I am very happy about this border reopening. The border has been closed for a long time, and if we wanted to visit our families or attend funerals and ceremonies on the other side, we had to go via Sakatu.”
Meanwhile, on 10th April, the Government of Timor-Leste, through the President of the Special Administrative Region Authority of Oecusse Ambeno (RAEOA), Rogério Tiago Lobato, together with the Vice-Governor of Nusa Tenggara Timur or East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Johni Asadoma, officially reopened services at the Integrated Border Post of Oésilo and the Border Post of Napan on Thursday. This initiative aims to facilitate community movement across borders and also streamline import and export activities.
The reopening ceremony began with a thanksgiving mass, as the Integrated Border Post of Oésilo and the Border Post of Napan had been closed for almost six years since 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, the President of the RAEOA Authority, Rogério Tiago Lobato, emphasized that reopening the border crossing aims to strengthen economic activities and contribute to reducing illegal transactions.
“We are reopening the Oésilo border post, and this will also contribute to reducing illegal crossings or ‘rat roads,’ conducting illegal transactions, and smuggling activities. By reopening, we enable everyone to pass through legally, pay taxes to the state, and travel freely, which makes me happy. Now, the people from Oésilo heading to Kefamenanu no longer need to travel far to reach the Sakato-Wini border; they can use this border post instead,” stated Rogério Lobato in Oésilo.
Rogério Lobato also promised that in the future he will coordinate with Indonesian authorities to reopen the Integrated Border Post of Pássabe and the Integrated Border Post of Nítibe, providing the community with secure access to conduct their activities freely.
“According to the plan, we will coordinate to reopen the Integrated Border Post of Pássabe, making it easier for people from Pássabe to travel to Indonesia without needing to pass through Oésilo. Customs and immigration will be stationed there, creating conditions for them to carry out their services. Gradually, we will also reopen the Naktuka post to provide quicker access to Kupang”, he stated.
Similarly, the Vice-Governor of NTT, Johni Asadoma, expressed pride in the reopening of the Oésilo Integrated Border Post and the Napan Border Post, seeing it as a source of hope for the communities of both nations, facilitating imports and exports to improve people’s livelihoods.
“I am deeply grateful to the TTU District Government and the Government of Timor-Leste for enabling the immediate operation of the Napan Border Post for the well-being of the people in the border area. The reopening of cross-border activities between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Indonesia is not just about opening crossings but also symbolizes progress and hope for both nations. With this reopening, we expect it will create and facilitate community mobility and the distribution of goods and services, as well as the essential needs of the people of both countries, to further improve the quality of life for the community”, he said.
The Indonesian Government, particularly in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), expressed gratitude to the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, hoping for maximum support from all entities so that border activities benefit both nations.
According to observations by TATOLI journalists, after the reopening of the Oésilo Integrated Border Post and the Napan Border Post, community movement has resumed immediately, including the importation of basic necessities.
Journalist: Abílio Elo Nini
Editór: Evaristo Martins/Florencio Miranda
Translation: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
