Estanislau da Silva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Estanislau da Silva
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| 5th Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| In office 19 May 2007 – 8 August 2007 |
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| President | José Ramos-Horta |
| Preceded by | José Ramos-Horta |
| Succeeded by | Xanana Gusmão |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 August 1952 Dili, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor) |
| Political party | Fretilin |
Estanislau da Conceição Aleixo Maria da Silva (born 4 August 1952) is an important politician from East Timor. He was the acting Prime Minister of East Timor for a short time in 2007. He is a key member of the political party called Fretilin.
Da Silva has been a member of Fretilin since 1974. He worked as a diplomat for East Timor during the time it was occupied by Indonesia (from 1975 to 1999). During this period, he lived in different countries like Mozambique, Portugal, and Australia. He returned to East Timor in 1999.
After East Timor became independent in 2002, Da Silva became the first Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In 2006, he was sworn in as the First Deputy Prime Minister. On 19 May 2007, he became the acting Prime Minister. This happened after José Ramos-Horta was elected President. Da Silva left office on 8 August 2007, when Xanana Gusmão became Prime Minister. This followed the parliamentary election in June 2007.
Early Life and Education
Estanislau da Silva was born in Dili in 1952. His parents were Luis da Silva and Genoveva Aleixo. He went to primary school in Fuiloro – Lautém district from 1961 to 1965. After that, he attended Dili Technical School from 1965 to 1971.
After finishing technical school, Da Silva went to Lisbon, Portugal. There, he studied electrical and mechanical engineering. He later studied agronomy, which is the science of soil management and crop production. He attended Eduardo Mondlane University and also took courses in India.
While living in Australia, Da Silva continued his studies in agronomy. He earned a post-graduate diploma from the University of Sydney in 1987. He then worked for the New South Wales Agricultural Department. He also worked at the Australian Cotton Research Institute.
Political Journey
Da Silva joined the Fretilin party in 1974. He helped start the Fretilin External Branch in Lisbon. This branch worked to gain support for East Timor's independence.
In 1976, Da Silva went to Australia to ask for support for East Timor's fight for freedom. He even helped operate a secret radio connection to the Fretilin leaders in East Timor. He had to work secretly because he was not an Australian resident.
In September 1976, Da Silva was arrested by the police in Australia. He was released after a short trial and then left for Mozambique. The radio link was later set up again by other Fretilin members and supporters.
When he returned to Australia in 1985, Da Silva worked very hard for East Timor's independence. He gave speeches, organized protests, and raised money. He also stayed in touch with the secret movement and Fretilin leaders in East Timor. He helped people who were in danger escape East Timor and settle in Australia. In 1994, he became Fretilin's representative in Australia.
Da Silva was chosen to be part of the Fretilin Central Committee in 1998. He was re-elected to this position in 2001 and 2006. He also leads the National Political Commission of Fretilin. This group guides the party's work between larger meetings.
In the parliamentary election in June 2007, Da Silva was re-elected to a seat in parliament.
Public Service and Achievements
In 1999, Da Silva returned to East Timor. He worked as a consultant for agriculture for the World Bank. Later, he managed an infrastructure project for the Asian Development Bank. He then became the Minister for Agriculture during the United Nations transitional government.
In May 2002, when East Timor became fully independent, Da Silva became the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He is known as a skilled and respected leader. His work in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is seen as a great success for independent East Timor.
Under Da Silva's leadership, East Timor's rice production grew almost every year. This helped the country rely less on imported rice. The amount of rice East Timor had to import was cut from two-thirds to one-third of what people ate.
Da Silva is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Tetum, which is one of the official languages of East Timor.
See also
In Spanish: Estanislau da Silva para niños
