Government of Timor-Leste

On December 1^st, 2023, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, through Order No. 014 /PM/XII/2023, formalised the establishment of the Committee for the transition of the mandates of the members of the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA - Portuguese acronym).

The initiative stems from recent legislative changes, provided for in Law No. 18/2023, of November 30^th, which automatically ended the terms of office of the members of the Authority, including the President, Arsénio Bano.

The establishment of this Committee aims to ensure an orderly transition of mandates in the RAEOA by taking stock of the region's administrative and financial situation before the process of appointing its new members begins.

The Committee's mission will be to receive, on behalf of the Prime Minister, the report on the mandate of the current outgoing members of the RAEOA, as well as to draw up a report within 15 days, taking stock of the situation and assessing the administrative and financial activity carried out by the RAEOA Authority, including, among others, the characterisation of human resources, the inventory of movable and immovable property, the identification of contractual obligations, other commitments undertaken, and financial liabilities. When this task is completed, the Committee will be disbanded.

Sebastião José Luís dos Santos Pereira will coordinate the Committee that also includes Dulce Guterres Júnior, Agostinho Caet, Francisco da Costa Soares "Borlaku", Benedito Escorial Fernandes, Januário Maia Guterres and Ricardo Alves Delgado.

The members of the Committee will rely on the collaboration of the bodies and services of the RAEOA, which will have to provide all the necessary documents and information, and the Legal Support Unit of the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers will give legal advice.

The amendments made to the RAEOA statute by Law No. 18/2023, of November 30^th, are guided by criteria of economy, effectiveness and efficiency, aiming at providing the territory with the legal instruments that are crucial to fostering the economic development of the enclave and the well-being of its population.