On April 7, Suriname holds a solemn, internationally attended state funeral for Chan Santokhi, the nation’s former president and long-serving chair of the Progressive People’s Party (VHP), to honor the legacy of one of the country’s most influential political figures. The ceremony is hosted at De Olifant Foundation, the historic VHP headquarters where the party’s iconic former leader Jagernath Lachmon was also laid to rest, following a period of internal consultation that resolved earlier discussions around the suitability of the venue for a full state funeral.
After coordinated talks between the President’s Cabinet and Santokhi’s family, the final decision to hold the service at De Olifant was solidified by a key fact: Santokhi remained the sitting VHP party chair at the time of his passing, making the historic party base the most fitting location to pay respects. The structure of the ceremony reflects Santokhi’s far-reaching influence across regional and global political circles, with a diverse guest list that includes high-level diplomatic delegations from multiple countries and addresses from both national and international leaders.
Suriname’s incumbent President Jennifer Simons is among the ceremony’s keynote speakers. Other prominent figures set to deliver remarks include Organization of American States Secretary-General Albert Ramdin, Chair of the National Assembly of Suriname Ashwin Adhin, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, Curaçao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Terrance Drew, and a Dutch Minister of State. In a nod to Suriname’s diverse social and religious fabric, the service also incorporates multifaith elements, with contributions from religious representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, Islamic community, and Hindu community, reflecting Santokhi’s lifetime of work across a pluralistic society.
Members of Santokhi’s family will also pay their personal tributes, with his widow Mellisa Santokhi set to deliver a formal vote of thanks to attendees and the public for their widespread support following his passing. After the conclusion of the solemn ceremony, Santokhi will be cremated at the Shabier Ishaak Funeral Center in Uitkijk, located in Suriname’s Saramacca district. The event marks a historic moment as Suriname and the broader international community bid farewell to a leader who left an enduring mark on both national politics and regional diplomatic relations.