Timor-Leste Marks the 27th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation of August 30th, 1999
Timor-Leste marked the 27th anniversary of the Popular Consultation of August 30th, 1999, with a commemorative programme held from August 28th to 30th, 2026, in the municipality of Manatuto, which brought together members of the Government, local authorities, representatives of State institutions, and local communities.
The celebrations commemorated the process that enabled the Timorese people to exercise their right to self-determination through the Popular Consultation organised by the United Nations on August 30th, 1999. On that day, 78.5% of voters rejected the proposal for special autonomy within Indonesia, paving the way for the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence on May 20th, 2002.
The programme began on August 28th with a general clean-up effort in Manatuto.
On August 29th, a Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Parish Church of Santo António de Manatuto, presided over by Father Mário Cabral, with members of the Government, local authorities, and community representatives in attendance.
Following the religious service, a national reflection session on the country’s historical journey and future challenges was held in the “Ulfa Ikero” Hall.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, delivered a lecture titled “27 Years: Development Built from the Ashes”, in which he addressed the process leading up to the Popular Consultation, the period of the United Nations Transitional Administration, and the early years of independence, as well as the process of stabilisation, state-building, and national development. In his address, the Minister highlighted August 30th, 1999, as an “example of courage of an entire nation”.
The session also featured remarks by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, on the constitutional mandate and the process of developing local government in the municipalities, and by the Executive Director of the Chega! National Centre, Hugo Fernandes, on the contribution of history and memory to shaping the nation’s future.
The celebrations continued on August 30th with a march from Manatuto Bridge to the site of the celebrations, followed by a community gathering and entertainment activities.
