Challenges Arising in the Political Transition to Democracy in TimorLeste

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Challenges Arising in the Political Transition to
Democracy in Timor-Leste

• João Boavida
• Centre of Studies for Peace and Development
• Programme of Research and Dialogue for Peace
  (PRDP)
• 10th November 2008

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Where is Timor-Leste?
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Transition to Democracy
1769 1974 1975
1999 2002 2006 2007 2008
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Challenges arising in the Political Transition to
Democracy

• Speed of Transition
• Weak Functioning of the State
• Divided Leadership
• Divided Society
• Lack of Socio-Economic Development

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Speed of Transition

• Political Manifestos focused on promises to get
  votes
• Lack of Resolution to Political Divisions
• Resistance Leaders to Conventional Leaders
• Institutionalised Antagonisms between former
  Opponents
• (Political System Security Force Formation)

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2. Weak Functioning of the State

• Lack of Understanding of Democratic Principles
• Lack of Trust in Institutions of Law Order
• Challenges in Transitional Justice
• Tensions in Security Forces Divisions, Tactics
  
• Lack of Well-Defined Property Rights
• Traditional vs. Modern Structures
• KKN (Corruption, Collusion, Nepotism)

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3. Divided Leadership

• Personality Politics
• Historical Divisions between parties
• Political Instability
• Ineffective Governance
• Rhetoric inciting Political Violence

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4. Divided Society

• Lines of Tension
• Pro-Independence vs. Pro-Autonomy
• Regional Identity Lorosae Loromono
• Political Parties
• Ethnic Groups
• Diaspora vs. Those who stayed

• Causes
• Discrimination over who fought and who did not
  fight
• Competition over Markets
• Unequal access to Resources
• Politics Reaching to the Grassroots
• Disputed Land Ownership

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5. Lack of Socio-Economic Development

• Lack of Infrastructure and Investment
• Highly Impoverished Society
• Subsistence Agriculture
• Poor Educational Quality
• Poor Human Resources
• Very High Unemployment
• KKN (Corruption, Collusion, Nepotism)

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Programme of Research and
Dialogue for Peace (PRDP)
Husi Ita ba Ita - From Us to Us
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Interpeace Methodology
Solutions for Peace
ACTION

• Participation
• Solutions designed by the people of the country
  and conflicting parties
• Focus Group Discussions

Root Causes of Conflict Identified Solutions
from the people realised Research Analysis
The PAR Action track
PAR from Participants
PAR from Research
Obstacles to Peace
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• 4. Implementation

Key Outputs
ACTION
3. Participatory Action Research
Establish Working Groups Additional
Research Further FGDs in Each Sub-district Establi
sh District Focal Points
Key Outputs
National Forum
2. Mapping
Key Outputs
Completed FGDs in 13 Districts Countrywide Conduct
ed 2 of 3 Regional Conferences Prepared Reports,
Analysis and Films
1. Preparation
Key Outputs
Established Research Team Resources
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13 Districts, 3 Regions
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Priority Issues
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Trigger points for future Conflict

• Public disrespect for the current leadership
  provides a situation vulnerable to provocation by
  political spoilers
• Politicisation of the Judiciary system delays
  justice for those in need, creating
  discontentment which could fuel violence
• Replacing justice with financial compensation for
  victims and their relatives sets a bad precedence
  and triggers new expectations
• Resentment between different groups is
  exacerbated by the practice of KKN which prevents
  equal access to opportunities

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Thank you

• End