Nicolau Lobato
East Timorese politician (1946–1978)
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Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (24 May 1946 – 31 December 1978) was an East Timorese politician who is considered a national hero of the country.
Arnaldo dos Reis Araújo (as Governor of East Timor)
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[a] 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[b] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1946 |
| Died | 31 December 1978 (aged 32) Mount Mindelo, East Timor, Indonesia |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Party | Fretilin |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Narciso Lobato (father) Felismina Alves (mother) |
| Relatives | Rogério Lobato (brother) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Timor-Leste |
Years of service | 1975–1978 |
| Commands | .svg){kind=small} Falintil |
| Battles/wars | Indonesian Occupation of East Timor † |
He was the first Prime Minister of East Timor, and vice president of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (abbreviated as Fretilin). In 1978 he was killed by the Indonesian special forces during the Indonesian invasion of the country.
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 Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (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 (the Kopassus) led by Lieutenant Prabowo Subianto (later son-in-law of President Suharto, and currently president of Indonesian since 2024) at Mount Mindelo.[1][2]
On 31 December 1978, he was killed after being shot in the stomach. His body was brought to Dili to be inspected by Indonesian press. What then happened to his body is unknown; the East Timorese government continues to pursue the issue with the Indonesian government, so that his remains can be given a proper burial.[3]
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
- Sérgio Vieira de Mello as United Nations Administrator 1999–2002; Xanana Gusmão as President of East Timor from 2002.
- Mari Alkatiri became the 2nd Prime Minister post-occupation in 2002.
