Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (24 May 1946 – 31 December 1978) was an East Timorese politician who is considered the national hero of the country.
Nicolau Lobato | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lobato in Declaration of East Timor (1975) | |
| Political leader of the East Timorese resistance forces | |
| In office 7 December 1975 – 31 December 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Xavier do Amaral (as President of East Timor under the UDI government) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished Arnaldo dos Reis Araújo (as Governor of East Timor) |
| 1st Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| In office 28 November 1975 – 7 December 1975 | |
| President | Francisco Xavier do Amaral |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1946 Soibada, Portuguese Timor |
| Died | 31 December 1978 (aged 32) Mount Mindelo, East Timor, Indonesia |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Nationality | Timorese |
| Political party | Fretilin |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  East Timor |
| Years of service | 1975–1978 |
| Commands | .svg){kind=small} Falintil |
| Battles/wars | Indonesian occupation |
Biography
Lobato was born in Soibada, Portuguese Timor on 24 May 1946.
Lobato was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of East Timor from 28 November to 7 December 1975. Upon the invasion by the Indonesian military, Lobato, along with other key Fretilin leaders, fled into the Timorese hinterland to fight against the occupying forces. On the final day of 1978, Lobato was ambushed by Indonesian special forces led by Lieutenant Prabowo Subianto (later son-in-law of President Suharto) at Mount Mindelo.
He was killed after being shot in the stomach on 31 December 1978 and his body was brought to Dili to be inspected by Indonesian press. What then happened to his body is unknown, but the East Timorese government continues to pursue the issue with the Indonesian government, so that his remains can be given a proper burial.
East Timor's main airport was renamed Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in his honour.
Gallery
- Military centre "Comandante Nicolau Lobato"
- Nicolau dos Reis Lobato statue in Comoro
- Nicolau dos Reis Lobato and Francisco Xavier do Amaral memorial in Dili
- Nicolau dos Reis Lobato depicted on a postage stamp
Notes
References
Further reading
- Nicol, Bill (2002). "Chapter Eleven: Strange Bedfellows". Timor: A Nation Reborn. Jakarta: Equinox Publishing. pp. 106–120. ISBN 979958986X.