Suriname is rocked this week by the memory of the December 8th murders and its 40th-year remembrance day

Happy Monday!

This week Suriname remembers the gruesome 15 murders that took place at Fort Zeelandia 40 years ago and its enduring trial. We also explore the recent Caricom-Cuba summit and future relationships as well as burgeoning partnerships for the 2025 election in the country. Lastly, if you want to come to Suriname from March 2023 onwards from Miami, American Airlines is no longer there for you.

40 years after the December murders, a trial awaits.

40 years ago, 16 critics of the military regime were arrested, taken hostage, and brought to Fort Zeelandia where 15 of the critics were tortured and killed. Union leader Fred Derby who escaped death at the time, testified and 7 of the 25 suspects have been convicted of first-degree murder. 5 of them have appealed this decision to be heard on December 16 among that former army chief and dictator, Desi Bouterse. The judgment is expected to be passed down early next year as relatives of the victims demand the trial of the alleged perpetrators led by Desi Bouterse.

The 5 suspects have declared they are innocent, with Bouterse reiterating his political responsibility but not ordering any murders. Initially, the men were deemed to have been shot while fleeing, however, it was then discovered that the men were shot from the front. Among the men killed were Andre Kamperveen, Vice President of FIFA at the time, owner of ABC Radio, and a former Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports, and Culture; multiple journalists and lawyers as well as former soldiers who were involved in the initial March 1982 coup attempt.

The pre-trial began in 2000, and the criminal trial began in 2007, being tripped up along the way by the 2012 law passed in the National Assembly stating amnesty for the suspects. Three years later, the Courts determined that the Public Prosecution office could still prosecute as the law is deemed contrary to the constitution and international treaties. Human rights organisations are convinced the courts will sentence the perpetrators and deems that only through enforcing the prison sentences will the rule of law in Suriname be restored and ultimately end an era of impunity.

President Santokhi: The call for justice is great.

On his Facebook page, President Chan Santokhi discussed the crimes from December. Stating that there is a strong demand for justice. "Let's respect this division of powers and accept the judge's decisions. We live in a country of law and law is where the court can do its job."

The last week brought back the memory of December 8, 1982, the December murders, which reinforces the desire for justice as the pain among Surinamese from that moment is still tangible. The question remains if his government will be the one that finally brings justice to the country and its people and the infamous dictator, Desi Bouterse, for his role in the gruesome murders 40 years ago.

President back in Suriname - Caricom-Cuba summit marks 50 years of diplomatic relations.

On Thursday night, President Chan Santokhi arrived home from Barbados. He attended the seventh meeting of the Caricom-Cuba summit in his role as Caricom chairman. He presided over the summit's opening and the 50th reunion of Cuba and the Caricom.

According to Santokhi, the cooperation has endured for five decades despite constantly shifting political, social, economic, and environmental settings. The leaders of the CARICOM nations stand in solidarity with Cuba regarding it as a vital ally in resolving regional issues. According to the Suriname Communications Service, it has been decided that there would be a significant development in the Cuba-Caricom relationship in the upcoming term.

President and Vice-President: National interest must prevail

On Monday, President Chan Santokhi and Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk underlined the positive dynamic among the nation's leaders and emphasized the importance of upholding the national interest above all else. They committed to raising concerns that require more debate in accordance with current procedures, consultation sessions, and special meetings.

The president reiterated the value of mutual consultation and dialogue. Regardless of any disagreements, both administrators are aware that society depends on this government to improve Suriname.

Since the government took office in 2020, weekly consultations have been established, where potentially sensitive political and administrative issues concerning government policy are discussed. President Santokhi has recently indicated that this path is not an easy one and is and will be accompanied by many political, administrative and financial challenges.

The urgency and stabilization program has now been completed and the aim is now to achieve solid sustainable growth and recovery. In this vein, the government has initiated various policy priorities and programmes, in order to realize even more concrete achievements in terms of improving quality of life and purchasing power in 2023 and 2024.

This discussion has come because of the events of last week where Brunswijk demanded that the president oust his safety advisor Melvin Linscheer due to allegations of spying, ordered by the President. The President according to Brunswijk no longer has his support and is asking what Linscheer is still doing in government and that the president has to make a choice regarding who to keep on his side.

Brunswijk meanwhile has also forged a stronger political alliance with Pertjajah Luhur.

The ABOP, which represents Suriname's Maroon community, and Pertjajah Luhur (PL) which represents Suriname's Javanese community have decided to continue working together with their eyes set on the 2025 election. ABOP leader, Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, announced this at the celebration of the 24th anniversary of the PL. The two leaders stated that the party is back to its former glory. Brunswijk stated that as long as Somohardjo or his son Bronto Somohardjo is in charge of the party, there will be cooperation. He has a long experience with the party chairman, which goes back to the time of dictatorship, and argued that they risked their lives to "bring back democracy". This leaves the parties in a strong position in the government and according to them, no government will be formed without their parties in the 2025 election.

For anyone planning on visiting Suriname in the near future, American Airlines has decided to discontinue its flight route between Miami and Suriname.

Travelers will no longer have the ability to fly daily from Miami to Suriname. This is due to the underwhelming results of travel after a year and a half of operating has led American Airlines to discontinue its service to Suriname in March 2023.