Ramos-Horta urges unity, peace and progress on 27th anniversary of Popular Consultation

DÍLI, 30 August 2026 (TATOLI) — President José Ramos-Horta has called on Timor-Leste’s people, particularly young citizens, to safeguard the country’s hard-won peace and unity as the nation marks the 27th anniversary of the 1999 Popular Consultation.

In a message marking the anniversary on August 30, Ramos-Horta said the vote on August 30, 1999, had changed the course of Timor-Leste’s history and paved the way for the restoration of independence.

He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by previous generations and expressed gratitude for those who had helped guide the country through its struggle for self-determination.

“Today, we mark 27 years since our historic vote for the referendum on August 30, 1999 — a day that changed the course of our nation forever,” Ramos-Horta said.

The president said Timor-Leste’s most significant achievement over the past 27 years had been its independence and the peace it had maintained since the end of the conflict.

He said former adversaries had been transformed into friends, while Timor-Leste had built a democratic system recognised internationally for its stability and freedoms.

But Ramos-Horta warned that peace could not be taken for granted and required a continued commitment from the people.

“Peace requires daily commitment,” he said, stressing that the unity forged during the independence struggle must remain the foundation for the country’s development.

Addressing Timor-Leste’s younger generation, Ramos-Horta said those born after independence had grown up in freedom and would play a central role in shaping the country’s future.

He urged young people to pursue education and prepare themselves to become the country’s future diplomats, scientists, artists and leaders.

The president also called on them to reject division and behaviours that could harm communities, while carrying the national flag with pride, integrity and hope.

Looking ahead, Ramos-Horta said the country still faced major challenges, including poverty, access to healthcare and unequal opportunities for children.

He called for continued efforts to eradicate poverty, expand healthcare services and ensure children in every village had opportunities to pursue their ambitions and build better lives.

As Timor-Leste commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Popular Consultation, Ramos-Horta urged citizens to honour the sacrifices of the past while protecting the peace and unity achieved since then.

“Let us turn our eyes to the future with hope and determination,” he said.

Timor-Leste held the UN-sponsored Popular Consultation on Aug. 30, 1999, in which voters were asked whether they accepted or rejected a proposed special autonomy within Indonesia. The overwhelming rejection of the proposal paved the way for the country’s independence.

Timor-Leste formally restored its independence on May 20, 2002.

TATOLI