Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Timor-Leste commemorates its independence referendum 20 years ago

Timor Leste's President Francisco Guterres at a ceremony to mark the independence of Timor Leste

Timor Leste's President Francisco Guterres at a ceremony to mark the independence of Timor Leste Source: AAP

The event saw widespread violence engulf the small nation and resulted in an Australian-led peacekeeping force being deployed, as those who were there recall.


Published

Updated

By Hannah Sinclair

Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


The event saw widespread violence engulf the small nation and resulted in an Australian-led peacekeeping force being deployed, as those who were there recall.



Latest podcast episodes

Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world