Dili, February 12 (AseanAll)  — President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, held his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace on February 12, 2026 to discuss critical developments in national governance and regional diplomacy. 

A key highlight was the appointment of Regina de Jesus de Sousa as the new Vice Minister of Finance. The Prime Minister emphasized that her expertise as a former Director of Treasury is vital for the government’s ongoing efforts to reform the national financial system, ensuring transparency and accountability as Timor-Leste moves toward administrative decentralization.

On the diplomatic front, the leaders reviewed Timor-Leste’s early assumption of the CPLP Presidency following the recent coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau. Under the guidance of President Ramos-Horta, Timor-Leste has shifted the community’s thematic focus to “Consolidating the Democratic Rule of Law” for the 2026–2027 period. The Prime Minister informed the President that a commission will be dispatched to assist Guinea-Bissau in restoring its democratic institutions, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to supporting fragile states and promoting human rights within the Lusophone community.

Addressing domestic concerns, the Prime Minister briefed the President on the decision to suspend the recent police recruitment process following public allegations of nepotism and corruption. To safeguard institutional integrity, the government will establish an international commission, including experts from Portugal and Australia to conduct a thorough audit of the recruitment procedures. This measure underscores the Presidency’s and Government’s shared dedication to ensuring that state institutions are built on meritocracy and remain free from political interference.