Hermenegildo Pereira, the State Minister for Advisory Affairs at the Presidential Council, told the Independente on Thursday that Gusmao had laid out his wish to separate himself from the Alliance for Change and Progress (AMP) coalition government in a letter sent to Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak this week.

In the letter Gusmao – the Director of the AMP - said he would continue supporting the party over the next five years it held power.

It is understood Gusmao has asked AMP supporters to remain strong and help defend the new government.

Gusmao had been a no show at the June 22 inauguration of AMP’s government structure, announcing at the time he took the stance in solidarity for “friends” that President Francisco “Lo Olo” Guterres had refused to swear in because of corruption investigations.