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Armanda Berta dos Santos
Armanda Berta dos Santos 2020-01-23.jpg
Santos in 2020
Deputy Prime Minister of East Timor
In office
29 May 2020 – 1 July 2023
Serving with José Reis
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak
Preceded by Office re-established
Succeeded by
  • Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and
  • Mariano Sabino Lopes
Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion
In office
22 June 2018 – 1 July 2023
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak
Preceded by Florentina da Conceição Pereira Martins Smith
Succeeded by Verónica das Dores
Member of the National Parliament
In office
2017–2018
Personal details
Born (1974-10-11) 11 October 1974 (age 50)
Political party KHUNTO
Spouse José dos Santos Bucar [de]

Armanda Berta dos Santos (born 11 October 1974) is an important politician from East Timor. She is the leader of a political party called Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO).

From May 2020 to July 2023, Armanda Berta dos Santos served as one of East Timor's two Deputy Prime Ministers. A Deputy Prime Minister helps the Prime Minister lead the country. She worked in the government led by Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.

She was also the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion. This means she was in charge of government programs that help people in need. She held this role from June 2018 until July 2023.

Early Life and Education

Armanda Berta dos Santos was born on October 11, 1974. She grew up in a village called Maloa, in the Ainaro area of what was then Portuguese Timor. This area is now part of East Timor.

She comes from a family that lived in the countryside and did not have much money. Later in her life, she earned a Master's degree in Governance Management. This degree helps people learn how to manage government and public services.

Political Journey

Armanda Berta dos Santos has been the leader of the KHUNTO party since it started in 2011.

First Elections

In the 2012 East Timorese parliamentary election, her party, KHUNTO, received almost 3% of the votes. To get members into the National Parliament, a party needed to reach a 3% "electoral threshold." This is a minimum percentage of votes needed to win seats. KHUNTO missed this by only 150 votes.

In the 2017 election, Santos was elected to the National Parliament. She was the main candidate for her party.

Becoming a Minister

In an early election in 2018, Santos was again elected to the National Parliament. Her party, KHUNTO, was part of a group called the Alliance for Change and Progress (AMP).

On June 22, 2018, she became the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion. Because she became a minister, she had to leave her seat in the Parliament.

In March 2020, Armanda Berta dos Santos was chosen again to be the leader of the KHUNTO party. She would lead the party until 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Role

In 2020, the AMP group had some disagreements. However, KHUNTO decided to keep supporting the government.

On May 12, 2020, the government created two new positions for Deputy Prime Ministers. On May 29, 2020, Santos was sworn in as one of these Deputy Prime Ministers. She also continued to be the Minister for Social Solidarity and Inclusion.

Soon after, she helped launch a program to give money to families. This was part of the government's plan to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential Election Campaign

While she was Deputy Prime Minister, Santos also ran for president in the 2022 East Timorese presidential election.

During her campaign, she spoke about the importance of using local languages. She pointed out that most people in East Timor, including herself, would not understand a debate held only in Portuguese.

In the first round of the election, she came in third place out of 16 candidates. She received 56,690 votes, which was about 8.7% of all votes. This result showed a shift towards younger leaders and more women in politics.

Armanda Berta dos Santos finished her time as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister on July 1, 2023. This was when a new government, the IX Constitutional Government, took office.

Personal Life

Armanda Berta dos Santos is married to José dos Santos Naimori Bucar [de]. He is the leader of a group called Kmanek Oan Rai Klaran (KORK). This group is known for its traditional arts.

José dos Santos Naimori Bucar also founded the KHUNTO party. However, he chose to be an adviser, and Armanda Berta dos Santos became the party's leader.

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