Speaking to an audience at University da Paz (“University of Peace”), the 72-year-old, who served as President of Timor-Leste from 2007-2012, offered a call for reconciliation with Timorese in Indonesia who did not return when Timor-Leste won independence that met support from the youthful crowd.

Horta made relationships his central target, condemning politics that sought to divide.

“Becoming President of the Republic is about taking responsibility,” he said. “ A concern for me is moving forward reconciliation for Timorese in Atambua, Belu, Kefa and Kupang – they must know we have not forgotten them.”

Following the 1999-referendum for independence in Timor-Leste about 240,000 people fled violence unleashed by anti-independence militias and crossed in neighbouring West Timor.

In return for supporting Indonesia many of these people were promised safety in West Timor, homes and help to start new lives.

The UN estimates around 120,000 Timorese remain in West Papua, leading some observers to label them the “world’s forgotten displaced”.

Horta’s comments come as he faces Guterres in a run-off presidential election on April 19. The winner will take office on May 20 – the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s independence from Indonesia.

Turnout in the March 19 election, the fifth since independence, was 77.26 per cent — per cent higher than in 2017 — the election commission said.

Horta received 46.6 per cent of the vote in the first round, and Guterres got 22.1 per cent, according to the National Election Commission.