Timor-Leste’s Long Road to Independence: Transnational Perspectives

From a much neglected Portuguese colony to independence, Timor-Leste travelled a belated, long and troubled journey that included a 24-year Indonesian occupation. A classic process of European decolonization (1974-1975) was followed by a nationalist struggle against ＂Third World Colonialism＂ (1975-1999), and a final phase under the direct aegis of the United Nations (1999-2002). More than a direct relation between coloniser and colonised, this turbulent process involved the participation of many different actors scattered around the world. The ＂Timor Issue＂ brought to the scene a martyred people’s determination, the diplomacy of several nations (friends or foes), the involvement of the United Nations, and the activism of solidarity networks. This collection adopts a transnational approach that highlights the complexity of Timor-Leste’s road to independence.

Zélia Pereira (PhD Évora 2018) has collaborated in several research projects in History and Archival Science, the most recent entitled ADeTiL - The self-determination of Timor-Leste: a study of Transnational History. Since 2005, she has been an archivist and information manager at the Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation. Rui Graça Feijó (DPhil Oxford 1984, Agregação Coimbra 2017), is Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra (contract pursuant the transitional measures stated in Law 57/2017) and at the Institute for Contemporary History, NOVA University of Lisboa. Previous books with AUP include Dynamics of Democracy in Timor-Leste (2016) and The Dead as Martyrs, Ancestors and Heroes in Timor-Leste ( with Lia Kent, 2020).