East Timor celebrates independence anniversary, new leader

19/5/2022 19:03

        Former East Timor independence fighter and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta is to be sworn in as president late Thursday of Asia's youngest country as it marks its 20th anniversary of independence.
        
        Banners and posters filled the streets of Dili, the capital, where thousands gathered for festivities including speeches, musical performances and fireworks to commemorate independence from Indonesia, which invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975.
        
        Ramos-Horta, 72, who led the resistance during Indonesia's occupation, is being sworn in shortly before midnight, the time the country declared independence 20 years ago.
        
        In his victory speech last month, he pledged to reduce poverty, improve health services for mothers and children, and promote a dialogue to restore political stability.