Traditional Authorities and External Democratic Models in the State Formation Process in Timor-Leste

Abstract

This article presents the role of traditional and community authorities in Timor-Leste during the period of political transition from 1999 to the restoration of independence in 2002 and the first years of independence. It focuses on the legislative and administrative strategies to create a national electoral system trying to incorporate (or not) the traditional structures, specifically: the councils of Katuas (elders), the Suco councils, the Lian Nain and the Liurais in the democratic system of the nascent country and especially in the local and territorial administration. The political strategies and social dynamics in the formation of the electoral system and the modality that was chosen to incorporate the traditional authorities into the governmental power system are explained. A reflection is made on the different stages of the construction of the electoral system in the country in the successive elections of 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004/2005 and its relationship with traditional organizational systems. Some of the conflicts that arose when implementing imported systems that are alien to the cultural reality of the country are highlighted. This article is based on the experience of the author in Timor-Leste between 1999 and 2018 and the examination of legal and documentary sources.