This year, Timor-Leste celebrated 23 years since its hard-won independence from Indonesian rule. It was a day of reflection and celebration for a nation that has become a rare example of revolutionary success in the 21st century. Against a backdrop of global imperialism and shifting geopolitical alliances, Timor-Leste stands as a beacon of what a united people can achieve when they rise up against oppression.
President José Ramos-Horta, the Nobel laureate and one of the leading figures of the independence movement, hosted the national celebrations at the presidential palace in Dili. His presence was a reminder of the decades of sacrifice and struggle behind the country’s sovereignty. Ramos-Horta spoke with measured optimism, acknowledging that despite significant progress, Timor-Leste still faces formidable challenges. Yet his words carried the weight of history — a subtle warning that the future depends on how the nation handles its vast but untapped resources.
At the same time, just to the east in West Papua, the situation could not be more different. Violence erupted in cities like Wamena and Jayapura as protests turned deadly. Police officers were shot, and unrest spread rapidly. Unlike Timor-Leste’s carefully choreographed celebrations, West Papua descended into chaos, a stark reminder that freedom remains elusive for many in the region.
The Long Road to Independence
Timor-Leste’s story is well known to those who follow struggles against imperialism. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, the island was invaded and annexed by Indonesia in 1975. The decades that followed were marked by brutal repression, mass killings, and widespread human rights abuses. The international community mostly looked the other way, tacitly accepting Indonesia’s claims.
But Timorese resistance never died. Armed groups like Falintil kept the flame alive, while political leaders like Ramos-Horta campaigned tirelessly for recognition on the world stage. The 1999 referendum, backed by the United Nations, finally allowed the people to voice their will. Despite violence and destruction in its aftermath, Timor-Leste emerged as an independent state in 2002.
Since then, it has carved out a delicate existence. The country’s sovereignty has been maintained even while balancing the often competing interests of China, ASEAN, and Western powers. This tightrope walk has not always been smooth, but it has prevented Timor-Leste from being swallowed up by larger regional ambitions.
Promises and Problems: The Sovereign Wealth Fund
Timor-Leste’s biggest asset has been its offshore oil and gas reserves, which have created a sovereign wealth fund worth roughly $16 billion. This fund was meant to provide financial security and fuel development for generations. Yet for many ordinary Timorese, poverty remains a daily reality. The government has been cautious in releasing funds, worried about long-term sustainability and mismanagement.
This disconnect has fueled frustration and whispers of a return to more radical politics. Fretilin, the left-wing party that led the original independence movement, has regained some support by tapping into dissatisfaction with the slow pace of change. The fear among the establishment is that if the wealth fund is not spent wisely and visibly, the country could slide back toward instability.
President Ramos-Horta’s recent calls to begin tapping the fund for public investment can be read as an attempt to stave off this political shift. It is a clear signal that the revolutionary spirit that secured independence still echoes in the halls of power.
West Papua’s Struggle and the Elusive East Timor Model
For years, West Papuan activists have looked to Timor-Leste as a model for their own aspirations. The “East Timor Model” — a successful path from colonial occupation to independence — holds symbolic power. But the reality is far more complicated.
West Papua faces entrenched military control from Indonesia and a far more hostile geopolitical environment. While Timor-Leste’s liberation was backed by international pressure and a UN-sponsored referendum, West Papua’s calls for self-determination have been largely ignored or suppressed. The region’s natural resources attract powerful interests that complicate any hopes for change.
Officially, Timor-Leste cannot openly support West Papua’s independence movement. Former allies like Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste itself remain largely silent on the matter, constrained by regional diplomacy and the realpolitik of ASEAN relations. A diplomat once told me bluntly, “We support West Papua with our hearts only. Real politics means we will never be able to officially do so again.”
Despite this, the shared history and cultural ties between the peoples mean that the dream of freedom persists. West Papuans continue to seek ways to learn from Timor-Leste’s experience — grassroots organizing, international advocacy, and attempts to maintain a narrative of resistance in the face of overwhelming odds.
Violence in West Papua: A Reminder of Unfinished Business
The recent shootings of police officers in Wamena and the death of another during protests in Jayapura are grim reminders of how volatile the situation remains. West Papua is not just a conflict frozen in time; it is an ongoing crisis where the stakes are high and lives are lost with little international attention.
Tourism and travel are affected sporadically, but it is critical to note that the violence rarely targets foreign visitors. Instead, it is the local population caught in a struggle that has lasted for decades, a people resisting the erasure of their identity and the exploitation of their land.
The world’s silence on West Papua contrasts sharply with the global attention given to other conflicts. While Ukraine and Palestine dominate headlines, West Papua’s plight remains marginalized, a testament to how geopolitics and imperial interests shape which struggles are deemed worthy of coverage.
The Politics of Silence
Why does West Papua’s conflict remain in the shadows? The answer is complex but largely rooted in international politics. Indonesia is a key regional power and a strategic partner for many Western nations. Challenging its control over West Papua risks destabilizing this relationship.
In addition, the conflict involves resource extraction on a massive scale, with mining companies and multinational corporations benefiting from the status quo. This creates powerful economic incentives to ignore the human rights abuses and suppress information.
The parallels with other forgotten conflicts like Sudan are striking. It is a reminder that the global community’s commitment to human rights and self-determination is often selective and contingent.
Timor-Leste’s Ongoing Revolution
Despite these challenges, Timor-Leste continues to inspire. Its journey from colonialism to independence is a testament to what determined people can achieve against the odds. It shows the importance of unity, perseverance, and a willingness to engage with the complex realities of international politics.
The country is not perfect. Its problems of poverty, political fragility, and dependency on natural resources are real and pressing. But it remains a shining example of revolutionary success in a region too often marked by failed struggles and forgotten voices.
For West Papua, the hope lies in learning from Timor-Leste’s experience while continuing the fight for recognition and justice. The path will not be easy, but as history shows, the desire for freedom cannot be extinguished forever.
If you want to understand the ongoing struggles of this region, watch the headlines from Timor-Leste’s celebrations and West Papua’s unrest. Two neighbours, two very different stories of resistance and survival. The battle for dignity in this corner of the world is far from over.