Gastão Salsinha
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Gastão Salsinha was the de facto leader of the East Timor
rebel movement following the death of former leader Major Alfredo Reinado.
, during the Indonesian occupation
until 1999. Following the achievement of independence in 2002 he became a Lieutenant in the new Timor Leste Defence Force, the F-FDTL, and trained under the Australian Defence Force
.
Salsinha is a leading figure in Colimau 2000. Colimau 2000 is one of a number of quasi political or religious organisations, notably based around former FALINTIL veterans. These include the Sagrada Familia, the Popular Committee for Defence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (CPD-RDTL), Colimau 2000, and the Isolados (individuals). Colimau 2000, CPD-RDTL and Sagrada Familia are also linked to former 1999 militia members, while Colimau 2000 members were alleged to be involved in the violence and destruction in Dili in April 2006 and in an internecine attack on a rival youth group in the village of Estado near Ermera in November 2006.
There appears to be some popular support for Salsinha in certain western regions through Colimau 2000 but he has little influence elsewhere. Former parliamentarian Leandro Isa'ac, who spent months with the rebel soldiers in 2007, refers to Salsinha as a 'bishop' of the 'pagan church of Colimau 2000', which has followers among poor people throughout western regions.
on Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão
and President José Ramos-Horta although he denied the intent to actually kill the President. Major Reinado led the attack on José Ramos-Horta and was killed by Ramos-Horta’s personal security guards. Lt. Salsinha led the simultaneous attack on Xanana Gusmão but was able to escape to the Ermera region where he has support.
Following the attack Salsinha went into hiding to avoiding an arrest warrant for the attempted assassination of Xanana Gusmão and declared himself to be the new leader of the rebels. The western mountains of East Timor are extremely rugged and suffer from very poor transport and communications, making capture difficult despite the small area in which he could operate with local support. Following a lengthy period of difficult and delicate talks in Ermera between Salsinha and the Prosecutor-General, Longuinhos Monteiro, aimed at securing a peaceful and face saving surrender, Salsinha and eleven other rebels surrendered at the Prime Minister's Office, Palacio do Governo, Dili on Tuesday 29 April 2008, not "to the Government but to justice".
Following a seven month trial in Dili presided over by a three judge panel Lt. Gastão Salsinha was found guilty of conspiracy and attempted murder over the assassinations attempts of the President and Prime Minister and was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison. Twenty-four other rebels, mostly former soldiers and police who became rebels and fugitives after factional rivalries led to violence in 2006, received up to sixteen years in prison.
On 12 April 2010, President José Ramos Horta publicly announced that he intended to pardon Gastão Salsinha and his men during 2010, arguing that they were eligible to be pardoned as they were also victims of the 2006 military crisis.
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
rebel movement following the death of former leader Major Alfredo Reinado.
Earlier background
Salsinha was a member of the East Timorese resistance force, FALINTILFalintil
Falintil originally began as the military wing of the political party FRETILIN of East Timor. It was established on 20 August 1975 in response to FRETILIN’s political conflict with the Timorese Democratic Union ....
, during the Indonesian occupation
Indonesian occupation of East Timor
Indonesia occupied East Timor from December 1975 to October 1999. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, a 1974 coup in Portugal led to decolonization among its former colonies, creating instability in East Timor and leaving its future uncertain...
until 1999. Following the achievement of independence in 2002 he became a Lieutenant in the new Timor Leste Defence Force, the F-FDTL, and trained under the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
.
Factional activities and support
On 4 May 2006 he deserted the F-FDTL with rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinado and others claiming political discrimination within the armed forces. He initially led the rebel movement but was later an active leader serving under Reinado to oppose the elected government claiming that it fell short of the ideals of the independence movement and that the struggle for "true independence" must continue.Salsinha is a leading figure in Colimau 2000. Colimau 2000 is one of a number of quasi political or religious organisations, notably based around former FALINTIL veterans. These include the Sagrada Familia, the Popular Committee for Defence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (CPD-RDTL), Colimau 2000, and the Isolados (individuals). Colimau 2000, CPD-RDTL and Sagrada Familia are also linked to former 1999 militia members, while Colimau 2000 members were alleged to be involved in the violence and destruction in Dili in April 2006 and in an internecine attack on a rival youth group in the village of Estado near Ermera in November 2006.
There appears to be some popular support for Salsinha in certain western regions through Colimau 2000 but he has little influence elsewhere. Former parliamentarian Leandro Isa'ac, who spent months with the rebel soldiers in 2007, refers to Salsinha as a 'bishop' of the 'pagan church of Colimau 2000', which has followers among poor people throughout western regions.
Events of 11 February 2008 and aftermath
Salsinha was involved in the failed 11 February 2008 coordinated assassination attempts2008 East Timorese assassination attempts
Rebel East Timorese soldiers invaded the homes of the President and Prime Minister of East Timor on February 11, 2008, leading to the shooting and serious wounding of President José Ramos-Horta, the shooting up of the car of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, and the fatal shooting of rebel leader...
on Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão
Xanana Gusmão
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão GCL is a former militant who was the first President of East Timor, serving from May 2002 to May 2007...
and President José Ramos-Horta although he denied the intent to actually kill the President. Major Reinado led the attack on José Ramos-Horta and was killed by Ramos-Horta’s personal security guards. Lt. Salsinha led the simultaneous attack on Xanana Gusmão but was able to escape to the Ermera region where he has support.
Following the attack Salsinha went into hiding to avoiding an arrest warrant for the attempted assassination of Xanana Gusmão and declared himself to be the new leader of the rebels. The western mountains of East Timor are extremely rugged and suffer from very poor transport and communications, making capture difficult despite the small area in which he could operate with local support. Following a lengthy period of difficult and delicate talks in Ermera between Salsinha and the Prosecutor-General, Longuinhos Monteiro, aimed at securing a peaceful and face saving surrender, Salsinha and eleven other rebels surrendered at the Prime Minister's Office, Palacio do Governo, Dili on Tuesday 29 April 2008, not "to the Government but to justice".
Following a seven month trial in Dili presided over by a three judge panel Lt. Gastão Salsinha was found guilty of conspiracy and attempted murder over the assassinations attempts of the President and Prime Minister and was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison. Twenty-four other rebels, mostly former soldiers and police who became rebels and fugitives after factional rivalries led to violence in 2006, received up to sixteen years in prison.
On 12 April 2010, President José Ramos Horta publicly announced that he intended to pardon Gastão Salsinha and his men during 2010, arguing that they were eligible to be pardoned as they were also victims of the 2006 military crisis.