José Ramos-Horta
José Manuel Ramos-Horta GCL GColIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈzɛ ˈʁɐ̃muz ˈɔɾtɐ]; born 26 December 1949) is an East Timorese politician. He has been the president of East Timor since 2022, having previously also held the position from 20 May 2007 to 20 May 2012. Previously he was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2006 and Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007. He was a co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, for working "towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor".
José Ramos-Horta GCL GColIH | |
|---|---|
Ramos-Horta in 2022 | |
| 4th and 7th President of East Timor | |
| Assumed office 20 May 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Taur Matan Ruak Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Francisco Guterres |
| In office 17 April 2008 – 20 May 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Fernando de Araújo (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Taur Matan Ruak |
| In office 20 May 2007 – 11 February 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Estanislau da Silva Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Xanana Gusmão |
| Succeeded by | Vicente Guterres (acting) |
| 3rd Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| In office 26 June 2006 – 19 May 2007 | |
| President | Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Mari Alkatiri |
| Succeeded by | Estanislau da Silva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | José Manuel Ramos-Horta 26 December 1949 Dili, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor) |
| Political party | CNRT (2022–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Fretilin (until 1988) Independent (1988–2022) |
| Spouse | Ana Pessoa (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Antioch University The Hague Academy of International Law International Institute of Human Rights Columbia University |
As a founder and former member of Fretilin, Ramos-Horta served as the exiled spokesman for the East Timorese resistance during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor (1975–1999). While he continued to work with Fretilin, he resigned from the party in 1988, becoming an independent politician.
After East Timor achieved independence in 2002, Ramos-Horta was appointed as the country's first foreign minister. He served in this position until his resignation on 25 June 2006, amidst political turmoil. On 26 June 2006, following the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Ramos-Horta was appointed as acting Prime Minister by President Xanana Gusmão. Two weeks later, on 10 July 2006, he was sworn in as the second Prime Minister of East Timor. He was elected as President in 2007. On 11 February 2008, he was shot during an assassination attempt.
After leaving office as President in 2012, Ramos-Horta was appointed as the United Nations' Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) on 2 January 2013. He was re-elected to the presidency in 2022.