Political Protests

Trip Start Sep 15, 2005
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Trip End Nov 11, 2005


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Flag of Suriname  ,
Tuesday, October 25, 2005

So let's talk about politics. Last Friday a demonstration, led by the leader of the opposition Desi Bouterse, was staged downtown. There were about 4500 people in attendance and they were protesting the high prices in Suriname - mostly a spin off of the high oil and gas prices. The supporters of the NDP (Bouterse's Party) are demanding a plan from the current government on how they are going to address these rising costs. People are saying that 50% of the population is not eating properly and are demanding nutrition programs for schools, along with other action.

Perhaps a bit of a history lesson will help put the politics in perspective. I will quote from the book Suriname Switi Sranan:
"The National Party of Suriname (NPS) made a strong case for independence that was backed by the Dutch government lead by Prime Minister Den Uyl Fort Amsterdam Canons
Fort Amsterdam Canons
 . The national debt would be cancelled and billions of guilders of foreign aid were promised. Official independence was declared on 25 November 1975. Turbulent and weak politics marked the first years of the new republic. Prosperity and employment barely increased despite considerable bauxite earnings and abundant development funds. This is widely attributed to large-scale corruption and fraud. The exodus of the Suriname people, who until 1980 were allowed to settle in the Netherlands, only made things worse.
Hardly anyone reacted when a small group on non-commissioned officers took over the government after a conflict about the formation of a trade union. There was a brief moment of hope, even in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, the incompetent 'civil government' led by strongman Desi Bouterse did nothing to improve the lot of the people: civil rights remained restricted and elections were constantly postponed. The men who staged the coup reacted ruthlessly when concerned union leaders, journalists and a number of intellectuals voiced their criticism; fifteen opponents of the coup were killed in Fort Zeelandia in December 1982.
The outrage in the country and abroad was un precedented. Foreign aid was suspended and the country slipped into international isolation. Several years later, the Bouterse administration came under threat from jungle commando's lead by Ronnie Brunswijk Fort Amsterdam Gun Powder Storage
Fort Amsterdam Gun Powder Storage
 . Innocent civilians were killed in these battles. It would take until 1991 for democracy to be restored and for free elections to be held. Bouterse participated in these with his own political party."

Bouterse is said to be very charming and charismatic. People here either love him or hate him. Demonstrations are planned every two to three days to keep the pressure on the government for some sort of change.

The other thing that I have done recently is to visit the museum at Fort Amsterdam. I have included pictures of the canons, gun powder storage buildings, and the prison - . which didn't close under 1982. The Fort was built where the Suriname and Commiwijne River converge, and certainly would have been a good look out point. I will include a couple pictures of signs, and hopefully you can see the writing well enough to read the information.

Bye for now,
Brenda
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