DILI, 22 May 2026 (TATOLI) – President José Ramos-Horta has stressed the urgent need for Timor-Leste to establish its Supreme Court of Justice by May next year, saying the country can no longer delay a constitutional obligation nearly 25 years after the restoration of independence.
Speaking during a visit to the installation site of the future Supreme Court building in Mandarin, Dili, the Head of State stressed that after nearly a quarter-century since the restoration of independence, Timor-Leste has had ample time to prepare.
The President stated that the nation is now fully capable and constitutionally bound to realize this long-awaited judicial milestone before the upcoming 25th-anniversary celebrations in 2027.
The President firmly warned against further delays, pointing to a demanding upcoming political calendar that includes the 2027 Presidential elections, the 2028 Parliamentary elections, and the 2029 ASEAN Presidency.
President Ramos-Horta cautioned that waiting until early 2027 is legally unfeasible, as electoral laws strictly prohibit the creation of new institutions or the signing of major contracts within six months of an election call. Consequently, the President set a decisive deadline for November, calling upon the Government and the Ministry of Justice to make the court’s inauguration an immediate national priority.
President Ramos-Horta expressed his profound appreciation for the ongoing collaborative efforts to prepare the new judicial institution.
The Head of State commended the President of the Court of Appeal, the honorable judges, and the Ministry of Justice for their steadfast dedication to the project. The President reaffirmed the Presidency’s unwavering support for the constitutional reinforcement of the courts, ensuring a stronger and more independent justice sector for the people of Timor-Leste.
TATOLI
