Understand

The eastern half of Timor is a captivating island once under Portuguese rule, now known as East Timor. Its journey to independence has been marked by resilience and determination. On 28 November 1975, East Timor boldly declared its autonomy from Portugal. However, just nine days later, Indonesian forces invaded and occupied this aspiring nation with the tacit approval of influential powers such as China, the Soviet Union, and Australia. The next two decades witnessed Indonesia's assimilation of the colony, with Indonesians assuming key positions of authority, leaving the East Timorese voice marginalized. This dark period saw a campaign of pacification, resulting in the loss of life for an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals. On 1 June 1998, the United Nations stepped in to administer East Timor as a Transitional Administration, igniting a glimmer of hope for the oppressed nation. The turning point arrived on 30 August 1999 when a momentous popular referendum was held, granting the people of East Timor the opportunity to vote for their independence from Indonesia. The announcement of the election results, however, unleashed chaos as gangs of independence opponents, supported by the Indonesian military, terrorized the population in a brutal civil war that devastated the nation's infrastructure. Answering the call for aid, a United Nations peacekeeping force, led by the courageous Australian troops, bravely ventured into the battered land to restore order, rebuild civil society, and reconstruct the shattered nation. Finally, on 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste, as it is now officially known, received international recognition as an independent state, embodying the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Although the journey to independence has been arduous, the spirit of Timor-Leste remains unyielding. While UN peacekeeping forces have since departed, the resilient East Timorese police and army have taken charge, safeguarding the military installations. Though the presence of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) within the country persists, their numbers have gradually dwindled since 2012. Explore this remarkable nation and witness the indomitable spirit that defines Timor-Leste!