Xanana Gusmão facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xanana Gusmão
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Gusmão in 2023
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| 6th 15th Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| Assumed office 1 July 2023 |
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| President | José Ramos-Horta |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Taur Matan Ruak |
| In office 8 August 2007 – 16 February 2015 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Estanislau da Silva |
| Succeeded by | Rui Maria de Araújo |
| 3rd President of East Timor | |
| In office 20 May 2002 – 20 May 2007 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by | Sérgio Vieira de Mello as UN Administrator (1999–2002) Nicolau dos Reis Lobato as acting president (1975–1978) |
| Succeeded by | José Ramos-Horta |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
José Alexandre Gusmão
20 June 1946 Manatuto, Portuguese Timor |
| Political party | National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 5 |
| Residences | New South Wales, Australia |
| Signature |  |
José Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmão (born 20 June 1946) is a famous politician from East Timor. He has been the Prime Minister of East Timor twice. His first time was from 2007 to 2015. He started serving again in 2023. Before becoming prime minister, he was East Timor's first President from 2002 to 2007, after the country became independent. He was also a leader in the fight for East Timor's freedom.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Xanana Gusmão was born in Laleia, Manatuto, which was then called Portuguese Timor. He was the second child in a big family. His parents were both school teachers.
He went to a Jesuit school near Dili. At 15, he left high school because of money problems. He worked many different jobs and studied at night.
In 1965, when he was 19, Gusmão met Emilia Batista, who later became his wife. His nickname, "Xanana," comes from an American rock and roll band called "Sha Na Na."
In 1966, Gusmão got a job in public service. This helped him continue his education. In 1968, he joined the Portuguese Army for three years and became a corporal. During this time, he married Emilia Batista. They had a son, Eugenio, and a daughter, Zenilda. He later divorced Emilia. In 2000, he married Kirsty Sword from Australia. They had three sons: Alexandre, Kay Olok, and Daniel.
After his army service in 1971, Gusmão joined a group working for East Timor's freedom. For three years, he took part in peaceful protests against the colonial rule.
In 1974, a change in government in Portugal led to East Timor becoming independent. Plans were made for elections. In 1975, there was a struggle between two groups in East Timor. Gusmão joined the Fretilin group. He was arrested by the other group, the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT).
Indonesia, a nearby country, started attacking East Timor. Fretilin gained control of East Timor, and Gusmão was freed. He became the Press Secretary for Fretilin. On November 28, 1975, East Timor declared independence. Gusmão filmed the ceremony. Nine days later, Indonesia invaded East Timor. Gusmão saw the invasion from the hills outside Dili.
Fighting for Independence
After Indonesia took control, Gusmão became a key leader in the resistance movement. He helped organize the fighters and gain support from villages. In 1977, he helped get supplies to people at a resistance base.
In 1981, he was chosen to lead Falintil, the armed wing of the resistance. In 1988, Gusmão became the leader of the new National Council of Resistance (CNRT). He left Fretilin to show he was working for all groups. Under his leadership, Falintil used small groups and secret networks to fight Indonesia.
In the early 1990s, Gusmão worked to tell the world about what was happening in East Timor. He spoke to many news channels after a terrible event in Dili in 1991, called the Santa Cruz massacre. This made him known worldwide.
Because he was so well-known, the Indonesian government tried to capture him. In 1990, Indonesian soldiers tried to find him in the Same and Ainaro areas. A local legend spread that Gusmão could turn into a white dog to escape.
In November 1992, Gusmão was finally captured in Dili. In May 1993, he was put on trial by the Indonesian government. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. This sentence was later changed to 20 years. He was sent to a high-security prison in Jakarta. Even from prison, Gusmão continued to lead the resistance with help from Kirsty Sword. Before he was released, important people like Nelson Mandela visited him.
Becoming an Independent Nation
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On August 30, 1999, the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence. After the vote, there was a lot of violence. The United Nations sent an international peacekeeping force, led by Australia, to help.
Gusmão was secretly flown back to East Timor on October 21, 1999. He gave a speech urging everyone to work together and rebuild the country. At 53, he was expected to become the first President.
In 1999, Xanana Gusmão was chosen to lead the National Consultative Council (NCC). This was a temporary parliament during the UN's time in East Timor. He also became a spokesman for the National Council (NC) in 2000. Gusmão played a big role in the UN administration that governed East Timor until May 20, 2002. During this time, he worked hard for unity and peace. He was seen as the main leader of the new nation.
Elections were held in late 2001. Gusmão ran as an independent candidate and was easily elected. He won the presidential election on April 14, 2002, with 82.7% of the votes. He became the first President of East Timor when it officially became independent on May 20, 2002.
Gusmão has written a book about his life called To Resist Is to Win. He is also featured in a documentary film from 2006 about him and East Timor.
Leading East Timor
On June 21, 2006, Gusmão asked the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, to resign. This was because of some serious accusations against Alkatiri. Thousands of people protested, asking Alkatiri to step down. Alkatiri resigned on June 26, 2006, to end the problems.
Gusmão decided not to run for president again in the 2007 election. In March 2007, he said he would lead his new party, the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), in the parliamentary election. He said he would be willing to become prime minister if his party won. José Ramos-Horta became the new president on May 20, 2007.
The CNRT came in second in the June 2007 parliamentary election. They formed a group with other parties to have a majority in parliament. After some discussions, Ramos-Horta announced on August 6 that Gusmão's coalition would form the government. Gusmão became Prime Minister on August 8, 2007.
On February 11, 2008, Gusmão's car came under fire. This happened an hour after President José Ramos-Horta was shot. Gusmão's home was also taken over by rebels. These events were seen as possible attempts to harm or kidnap leaders.
In the 2012 parliamentary elections, Gusmão's CNRT was the strongest party. He continued to lead the government as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
In early 2015, Gusmão announced he would step down as prime minister. He suggested Rui Araújo as his replacement. The President accepted his resignation, and Araújo became the new prime minister on February 16. In the new government, Gusmão became a "Consultative Minister" and Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment.
In the 2017 parliamentary elections, Gusmão's party, CNRT, came in second. On August 4, 2017, Gusmão said he would resign as CNRT party leader, but his party did not accept it. He then gave up his seat in parliament.
Gusmão worked as East Timor's main negotiator in talks about the border with Australia. After a successful agreement in March 2018, he received a hero's welcome in Dili. In the 2018 general elections, Gusmão was again elected to parliament but gave up his seat. He was appointed as a Minister but chose not to take the position due to disagreements. He continued to work on maritime border negotiations until 2022.
In the 2022 presidential elections, Gusmão supported José Ramos-Horta, who won and began his second term as President.
In October 2022, Gusmão stepped in to help families in Dili who were being evicted from their homes. He told police to help the families move their belongings back into their houses. This event became well-known.
In the 2023 parliamentary election, the CNRT won the most votes. On July 1, 2023, Gusmão was sworn in as Prime Minister again.
Awards and Honours
Awards
- In 1999, Gusmão received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
- In 2000, he was given the Sydney Peace Prize for being a "courageous and principled leader."
- Also in 2000, he won the first Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
- In 2002, he was awarded the North–South Prize by the Council of Europe.
- Gusmão is an important member of the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Foundation.
Honours
Brazil:
Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (2012)
São Paulo:
Grand Cross of the Order of Ipiranga (2011)
Indonesia:
First Class Adipurna of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia (2014)
New Zealand:
Honorary Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2000)
Portugal:
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2006)
Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (1993)
United Kingdom:
Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (2003)
Works
(This list includes only works published in English.)
- A Travesty of Justice: Xanana's Defence (1996)
- Inside Out East Timor (1999)
- To Resist is to Win!: The Autobiography of Xanana Gusmão with Selected Letters & Speeches (2000)
- Timor Lives! speeches of freedom and independence (2005)
- Strategies for the Future: Speeches 2007-2011 (2012)
- Raising a Nation: The Speeches of Xanana Gusmao 2011-2014 (2015)
See also
In Spanish: Xanana Gusmão para niños
