The Security Council Extends the UN Mission in Timor-Leste
By Reinaldo Velandia
On 25 February 2008, the Security Council, in resolution 1802, approved the extension of the mandate of United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) for another year, until 26 February 2009. The resolution was adopted following the attacks on Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmâo on 11 February.
In its presidential statement, the Council condemned “in the strongest possible terms” those heinous acts, noting that they represent an attack “on the legitimate institutions of Timor-Leste”. It also called on the Timorese Government to bring to justice those responsible, and appealed to the people of Timor-Leste to remain calm, exercise restraint and sustain stability in the country. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to both the Government and the people of Timor-Leste for their continued efforts to strengthen democracy, ensure public security and maintain stability in the country.
UNMIT, a multidimensional and expanded UN operation, was established in early 2006 by the Security Council, in its resolution 1704 (2006) of 25 August in response to the humanitarian crisis that erupted in Timor-Leste. UNMIT’s mandate to assist Timor-Leste includes facilitating dialogue and reconciliation, restoration and maintenance of public security, institutional development and strengthening of the national police, promoting a “compact” between Timor-Leste and the international community, supporting the development of State and Government institutions, monitoring, promoting and protecting human rights, and facilitating the provision of relief and recovery assistance. It was also mandated to support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electoral process in the country.
On 21 February, prior to the extension of the UNMIT mandate, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, presented the Secretary-General’s report on the Mission to the Security Council. It was reassuring, he said, that after the 11 February attacks, the Government, the Parliament, all political parties and the majority of the population responded with calm and moderation. Since then, the Government, in close cooperation with UNMIT, had shown leadership in guiding and coordinating security operations. In the next 12 months, the Mission, together with the Timorese people, will continue to focus its efforts on the four priority areas outlined in the Secretary-General’s report: review and reform of the security sector, strengthening of the rule of law, economic and social development, and promotion of a culture of democratic governance, the report noted.
UNMIT police continued to perform the task of interim law enforcement while, at the same time, increasing efforts to support the training, institutional development and strengthening of the Timorese national police (PNTL). In resolution 1802, the Council requested that UNMIT, working with other partners, intensify its efforts to assist with further training, mentoring, institutional development and strengthening of PNTL, with a view to enhancing its effectiveness.
To simultaneously address in an efficient manner the short-, medium- and long-term needs of the country, UNMIT has provided advice to State institutions, the UN country team and other development partners, and has concentrated primarily on the immediate priority challenges in mandated areas. One of those priorities is to create a durable solution to the situation of approximately 100,000 remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout the country, with 30,000 living in camps in Dili. UNMIT and the UN country team are working with the Government, development partners, and non-governmental organizations to address the needs of the IDPs.
Regardless of the fact that the situation in Timor-Leste has generally improved since the establishment of UNMIT, the security situation remains delicate—there are still many challenges to overcome. For instance, persisting differences among political leaders and parties have obstructed consensus in seeking solutions to a number of important issues. UNMIT, however, continues to help the Government of Timor-Leste, as well as civil society, to consolidate peace in the country, build the foundation for sustainable social and economic development, and finally promote dialogue and national reconciliation.
