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Former guerilla set to be sworn in as East Timor leader

  (Agence France-Presse)
Dili, East Timor
Fri, June 22, 2018

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 Former guerilla set to be sworn in as East Timor leader This photograph taken on May 19, 2017 shows newly elect East Timor's President Francisco Guterres (left), known as Lu Olo, and his predecessor Taur Matan Ruak (2nd left) hugging each other during his inauguration ceremony in Dili, East Timor. East Timor inaugurated its new president, former guerrilla fighter Guterres, who emerged victorious in the March elections. (Agence France -Presse/VALENTINO DARIELL DE SOUSA )

E

ast Timor will swear in a new government led by former guerilla fighter Taur Matan Ruak Friday following a protracted political crisis that has paralysed the tiny Southeast Asian nation.

Ruak will head the second government in less than a year in the impoverished half-island nation that won independence in 2002 after a brutal 24-year occupation by neighbouring Indonesia.

Born Jose Maria Vasconcelos but universally known by his nom de guerre Taur Matan Ruak -- which means "Two sharp eyes" -- Ruak was a commander in the East Timorese resistance before becoming chief of the newly independent nation's army.

He also served in the largely ceremonial role of president between 2012 and 2017.

Parliament was dissolved in January amid tensions between former prime minister Mari Alkatiri's minority government and an opposition centred around independence hero Xanana Gusmao. 

An alliance led by Gusmao clinched an absolute majority in elections held in May.   

Ruak's new government includes members of Gusmao's National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), the People's Liberation Party (PLP) and the youth-based Khunto.

The incoming administration will face big challenges, especially as the clock is ticking fast on East Timor's disappearing oil and gas reserves.

The resources pay for the bulk of government spending but oil revenues are in steep decline and the country has few other productive economic sectors.

About 60 percent of East Timor's population is under 25, according to the World Bank, while some 40 percent of its people live in poverty.

Providing jobs for young people and reining in public spending -- especially on large infrastructure projects -- will be key tasks for the new government, analysts say.

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