Ramos-Horta Backs Brazil for CPLP Leadership Over East Timor
Timorese President José Ramos-Horta has broken ranks with his own government’s previous declarations, advocating for Brazil to take the next presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). His comments come despite Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s earlier announcement that East Timor was prepared to lead the Lusophone organization for the 2027–2029 biennium.
A Push for Geographic Rotation
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate argued that Brazil is long overdue for a leadership role. “Brazil hasn’t held the presidency for many years and we should all agree and hand it over to Brazil,” Ramos-Horta stated. “Even at the CPLP level, there must be some respect for rotation.”
The President pointed out that African member states have hosted several recent summits, including those in Luanda, São Tomé, and Guinea-Bissau. Given that East Timor last held the presidency in 2014, Ramos-Horta believes returning the mandate to South America is the logical next step for the nine-member organization.
Resource Constraints and ASEAN Priorities
The President’s stance appears rooted in practical concerns regarding East Timor’s diplomatic bandwidth. The nation is currently preparing for a massive undertaking: the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2029.
“We are already working at full steam on domestic agendas and the ASEAN 2029 agenda,” Ramos-Horta emphasized. “I don’t believe there will be time and resources left for us to take on CPLP responsibilities beyond 2027.”
Overcoming Diplomatic Deadlock
The question of who will lead the CPLP next has been a point of contention. At the 2025 Bissau summit, heads of state failed to reach a consensus. While some members supported Brazil, others—including then-host Guinea-Bissau—backed Equatorial Guinea for the role.
Ramos-Horta suggested a compromise to break the stalemate, proposing that Equatorial Guinea could defer its bid. “I believe Equatorial Guinea could agree that it is preferable to hand it over to Brazil,” he said. “After Brazil, we could return to Africa and then to Equatorial Guinea.”
The leadership issue is expected to be a primary focus at the upcoming CPLP Council of Ministers meeting, scheduled to take place in Dili on August 18 and 19. The CPLP comprises Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.
Image: Pexels – GILBERTO SOARES DOS SANTOS
