Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (born Jose Alexandre Gusmão , is a Politician Eastern Timor, born the June 20th 1946 with Manatuto. Prime Minister of the Eastern Timor since the August 8th 2007. It also occupies the function of Minister for Defense.

With the head of the Fretilin, it was during many years the principal leader of the fight for the independence of the country. At the time of formal independence, the May 20th 2002, a little less than three years after the referendum having devoted the will of independence of the Be-Timoreses, he becomes the First president of the Republic.

The June 22nd 2006, it announces that the following day it will present its resignation to the Parlement because of the “shame” which it tests vis-a-vis the deterioration of the situation in the country.

The country is in chaos since May 2006 because of the decision of the Prime Minister Marí Alkatiri to lay off 600 soldiers, that is to say almost half of the army, who complained about ethnic discriminations. The June 25th, two Ministers for the government of Alkatiri resign, Xanana Gusmão also threatens him to resign if the Prime Minister from does not go away. The party Fretilin with the capacity does not ask for the resignation of Marí Alkatiri, but this last leaves however its functions the June 26th.

Xanana Gusmão names then with the head of the government Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Prize of the peace in 1996, which between in fontion the July 10th.

In spring 2007, Xanana Gusmão makes the choice not request the renewal of its mandate (the constitution be-Timorese authorizes two consecutive mandates of president of the Republic) and openly support the candidature of Jose Ramos-Horta for supreme office .

Itself chooses to make countryside for the legislative elections of June 30th, 2007 and plans to become in its turn Prime Minister in the event of success of the National congress of Timorese rebuilding (CNRT), formation whose it assumes the chairmanship on April 30th, 2007, three weeks before the end of its mandate of president of the Republic.

See too

• List of the current leaders