Background

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On 8 February 2006, around 300 members of the armed forces (F-FDTL) demonstrated in front of the Office of the President, demanding a response to their petition of 15 January, concerning alleged discrimination in promotion policies and ill-treatment, in particular of the members from the western areas of the country. In mid-March, the situation culminated in the mass dismissal of 594 soldiers, representing almost 40 percent of the armed forces.

From 24 April to 26 April the ‘594 Group’ held demonstrations near the Government Palace, in which between 1,000 and 2,000 demonstrators were said to participate. On 27 April, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri announced the establishment of an Investigation Commission to look into the allegations contained in the petition, consisting of 2 government representatives as well as individuals nominated by the President of the Republic, the National Parliament, the Judiciary, the bishops of Dili and Baucau and the NGO forum. The Investigation Commission was to commence its work on 2 May and complete its mandate within 90 days. The leader of the ex-FDTL members, Mr. Gastão Salsinha, as well as the senior leadership of F-FDTL stated that they would accept the conclusions and recommendations of the Commission.   

On Friday, 28 April, a mob of non-‘594’ youths and some political elements broke off from the protesters peacefully camping near the Palácio do Governo. The group became more violent, throwing stones and at least one Molotov cocktail at the Government offices and subsequently broke out in smaller groups triggering violent rioting, fighting and arson in the outskirts of Dili. Most of the group of the 594 ex-F-FDTL did not join in the violence and dispersed to various destinations. By Friday evening, the FDTL took control of the security situation in Dili. Between 28 and 29 April, 5 persons were reported killed and more than 30 injured. 45 houses were completely destroyed and 116 were damaged. Gunshots and the sound of explosions were heard in certain areas of Dili through the early morning of April 29th.

On 9 May, in Gleno, Ermera district, the office of the Secretary of State for the Coordination of Region III (Dili, Aileu and Ermera), was surrounded for a few hours by hundreds of youngsters. During the police operation to end this situation, one policeman was killed and two were injured by angry mob.

These events created panic and fear amongst the population of Dili and in certain districts and caused an exodus of Dili residents to the districts and certain facilities within the capital. Initial reports by various media indicated that by early May an estimated 10 to 15,000 Dili residents (out of a total of around 180,000) had left Dili for the rural areas. At least 5,000 more were sheltered in Churches, the UNOTIL compound, schools, etc.

Violent fighting between heavily armed groups started in the afternoon of Wednesday 24 May, when the F-FDTL confronted police forces and other break away factions took part in the fighting, resulting in many brutal killings.  This new outbreak of violence of Wednesday, 24 May, and the following days were followed by a state of absence of law and order in the capital city of Dili, where fighting between westerners and easterners, as well as lootings and burning of houses and government buildings at the hands of gangs of youngsters have continued to date. 

This extremely precarious security situation has led to a significant increase of the number of IDPs in already established camps as well as to an increase of the number of camps in the capital. Currently there are an estimated 70,000 IDPs in camps throughout Dili, and an estimated 70,000 more living in communities in the districts.

Through the inter-agency humanitarian assistance group, under the coordination of the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion (MoLC), vital food, water, nutrition supplements and other non-food essentials are reaching the IDPs in the camps in Dili and in the districts. The Group operates via sector-working groups in the areas of: Water and Sanitation, Health, Food Distribution, Shelter, District Distribution, Protection (including child protection sub-group), and Communications.

 

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