Ramos-Horta Backs Brazil for CPLP Presidency Over East Timor
East Timorese President José Ramos-Horta has called for Brazil to take the helm of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) for the 2027–2029 term, signaling a potential shift in the nation’s previous ambitions to lead the Lusophone organization.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s stance marks a departure from recent statements made by East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, who announced in June that East Timor was prepared to assume the presidency. However, Ramos-Horta argues that Brazil is long overdue for leadership and that geographical rotation must be respected.
A Call for Strategic Rotation
“I advocate that it should be Brazil,” Ramos-Horta told Lusa. “Brazil hasn’t held the presidency for many years, and we should all agree to hand it to them. Even at the CPLP level, there must be respect for rotation.”
The President noted that the organization’s African members—including Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau—have hosted several successful summits in recent years. East Timor last held the rotating presidency in 2014. “I believe it is time for everyone to agree and hand it to Brazil,” he emphasized.
Balancing Global Priorities
One of the primary reasons for Ramos-Horta’s hesitation regarding a Timorese presidency is the country’s busy international schedule. East Timor is currently preparing to take over the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2029, a massive bureaucratic and diplomatic undertaking.
“We are already working at full steam on our domestic agendas and the ASEAN 2029 agenda,” the head of state noted. “I do not believe there will be enough time and resources for us to take on CPLP responsibilities beyond 2027.”
Breaking the Stalemate
The question of who will lead the CPLP next has been a point of contention. At the 2025 summit in Bissau, member states failed to reach a consensus. While some supported Brazil, others—most notably the host nation, Guinea-Bissau—threw their support behind Equatorial Guinea.
Ramos-Horta suggested a diplomatic compromise to resolve the deadlock: “I believe Equatorial Guinea could agree that it is preferable to hand it to Brazil first. After Brazil, we could return to Africa and then to Equatorial Guinea.”
The leadership vacuum was created after Guinea-Bissau’s scheduled rotation was disrupted by a coup d’état in November 2025, leading to the country’s suspension from the organization’s leadership roles. The debate over the next presidency is expected to be the central focus of the CPLP Council of Ministers meeting, scheduled to take place in Dili on August 18 and 19.
The CPLP comprises nine member states: Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.
Image: Pexels – Jessika Arraes
