Before the UDT armed action on August 11, 1975, FRETILIN and UDT, together with their members and supporters, launched sporadic attacks against their opponents around several villages, resulting in the deaths of many civilians. These attacks were especially severe and repeated in the Laclubar area (Manatuto), Turiscai (Manufahi), and Maubisse (Ainaro). One of the most serious attacks committed by members and supporters of FRETILIN and UDT was the assault on Maulau Village, Administrative Post of Maubisse, Ainaro Municipality, in early August 1975.
In Maulau, tensions escalated when FRETILIN leader Francisco Xavier do Amaral visited the neighboring administrative posts of Turiscai in Manufahi and Lequidoe in Aileu. According to available information, his remarks incited violence among local communities. He urged FRETILIN sympathizers to “clear out the thorns in Lumoluli sub-village in Maulau Village.
Witnesses stated that, following these remarks, FRETILIN supporters from Lequidoe, Turiscai, and Manumera, joined by FRETILIN militants from Kudahei in Maulau Village, launched an attack on UDT sympathizers across three sub-villages: Lumoluli, Usululi, and Maleira, on August 7, 1975. During the assault, FRETILIN sympathizers used traditional weapons, including spears, machetes, bows, and arrows, to kill 14 UDT sympathizers and militants at one location, while 10 others were killed separately in different sub-villages within Maulau Village.
Mr. Bernardo Tilman, a living witness as well as a victim/perpetrator from the UDT, stated that his father and uncle were killed during the event. According to him, on August 7, 1975, FRETILIN sympathizers from Lequidoe and Turiscai, joined by FRETILIN sympathizers from Kudahei sub-village (those were his grandparents and uncles)—assaulted their location in Kiras, a sub-village of Lumoluli. 14 people were killed in the assault, including his father and uncle. The FRETILIN sympathizers used traditional weapons, such as spears, machetes, bows, and arrows, during the event.
Following the event launched by the FRETILIN sympathizers on August 7, 1975, UDT sympathizers from Ermera and Maubisse brought a rifle along with traditional weapons—such as spears, machetes, bows, and arrows—to support UDT sympathizers in Lumoluli, Maulau village, in launching a counter-attack against FRETILIN supporters in the Kudahei sub-village on August 9, 1975. During this attack, they killed 24 FRETILIN sympathizers at this location, while 2 others were killed separately around Kudahei.
Mr. Jacinto, a witness known as a victim/perpetrator from FRETILIN, acknowledged that the internal conflicts (civil war in Maulau) occurred due to the speech by the FRETILIN leader, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, in which he urged them to “Clear out the thorns in Lumoluli. Hence, they launched an assault on UDT sympathizers in Lumoluli village. Most of the UDT sympathizers were the relatives of the FRETIILIN sympathizers – they were connected as Umane-Manefoun (meaning “wife’s family” and “husband’s family”). This conflict led to the deaths of many people.
Why Reconciliation?
- The event that occurred on 7 and 9 August 1975, in Maulau Village, Administrative Post of Maubisse, Ainaro Municipality, resulted in the deaths of over 50 people. Additionally, many properties were destroyed and burned, and animals were killed. The families have not reconciled with committed hearts. Although the reconciliation process was completed in 2021, it satisfied only the UDT party and left FRETILIN and the youth of Maulau feeling envious.
- For many years, the victims from both FRETILIN and UDT were primarily from Umane-Manefoun (relatives), and they maintained good relationships. However, the events of August 7 and 9, 1975, once recalled, have left lingering jealousy, scars, and wounds that remain unhealed to this day. As a result, the reconciliation process aims to provide Matak-Malirin “the green and the cool” and to foster mutual reconciliation through cultural initiatives. This effort is intended to prevent future violations across generations.
- Through this reconciliation process, a reconciliatory act was made, such as establishing a monument and signage plaques to dignify and serve as a symbol of peace for the victims who sacrificed their lives due to the political parties’ interests. The victims, alongside their relatives, asked the state of Timor-Leste: Will the sacrifices of their more than 50 brothers and sisters be in vain? What actions need to be taken?
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