Díli, Nov. 27, 2025 (Lusa) - The executive editor of the Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations of Timor-Leste (FONGTIL), Valentim da Costa Pinto, said on Thursday that fragmentation among politicians is preventing the resolution of the challenges facing the country.
"The challenges in the political arena continue to show a fragmentation that prevents us from adequately managing solutions that serve both party and group interests, as well as the national interest," Valentim da Costa Pinto, director of FONGTIL, told Lusa during the celebration of the 50th year of Timor-Leste's unilateral declaration of independence.
For Valentim Pinto, this fragmentation prevents Timorese people from correctly defining the direction of future development.
"Leaders must return to dialogue with each other, prioritise the interests of the people over party interests, and maintain a healthy debate that underpins a stronger sovereign state," he stressed.
Valentim Pinto also considered that the 50 years since the unilateral declaration of independence represents a decisive moment for the leaders who were at the forefront of the struggle for sovereignty to promote dialogue, talk to each other as Timorese, and lead the country towards a better future.
Regarding the challenges in the economic sector, the executive director of FONGTIL said that it is important to diversify production.
"Oil and gas are productive sectors, but it is also important to consider others, such as agriculture, tourism, cooperatives, fishing and the marine sector," he said.
Valentim Pinto expressed concern about the heavy dependence on the Petroleum Fund, which finances 85% of the state's operations, while domestic revenues remain insufficient to meet state needs.
"We have to invest or diversify oil and gas revenues into productive sectors so that, within 20 years, we can count on alternative sources capable of supplementing oil and gas revenues," said the FONGTIL director.
Valentim Pinto also stressed that the health system still lacks a robust, high-quality model.
"The health system remains fragile and does not inspire sufficient confidence for the population to use its facilities for treatment," said the FONGTIL director.
Timor-Leste has made great efforts in terms of basic infrastructure, as this is essential for facilitating the participation of the agricultural population in development plans. However, in rural areas, many roads remain in poor or even serious condition.
The unilateral proclamation of independence of Timor-Leste took place on 28 November 1975, and nine days later, on 7 December 1975, Indonesia occupied the territory.
Independence was restored on 20 May 2002, following a referendum on self-determination on 30 August 1999 and 24 years of resistance against Indonesia.
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