Xanana Gusmao

Xanana Gusmao (Jose Alexandra Gusmao, born on June 1946, Manatulo, East Timor), was the first president of East Timor from 2002 to 2007, fourth prime minister of East Timor from 2007 to 2015 and also East Timorese Indendence leader. He attended Jesuit Seminary nearby Dare, served for 3 yeas in the colonial armed forces and worked as a teacher. For a short period after Portuguese left East Timor, he, a member of Fretilin, helped administer the region. Indonesia invaded East Timor in December 1975 and annexed it as a province. He was subsequently at the front fore of the resistance movement against Indonesia presence, becoming the head of Falintil. In 1992, he was captured by Indonesian forces and sentenced to life prison for plotting against the Indonesian government and illegal possesion of arms. He was released to house arrest in February 1999. He took part in talks with the Indonesian government and a cease-fire was established on June 18, 1999. After referendum, he won the presidential election in May 2002. After his presidential tenure, he was named as prime minister in August 8, 2007 by Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor after him. He is considered to be a legend among his people because of his merit for the independence movement of East Timor.