分类： politics

Fifty years ago, Suriname chose to stand on its own feet, embarking on a journey marked by progress, setbacks, pride, struggle, growth, and disappointment. Today, on November 25, the nation not only celebrates its golden jubilee but also reflects deeply on its past and future. At the heart of Suriname’s resilience through every era has been one constant force: labor. It is the workers, craftsmen, nurses, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers, youth, and elders who have formed the backbone of the economy, sustaining the nation even when policies and circumstances were unfavorable. Labor must once again take center stage in Suriname’s development, demanding strength, learning, discipline, tolerance, and unity. Progress is never automatic; it requires a working community that continually evolves and supports one another. The labor movement, too, deserves recognition for its pivotal role in the nation’s history. As Suriname celebrates 50 years as a republic, the labor movement must remain vigilant, ensuring that labor remains protected, strengthened, and just, even in times of growth. Suriname has made mistakes—sometimes due to inexperience, division, or short-term interests—but these errors need not be obstacles. They can serve as fertile ground for growth, transforming past missteps into wisdom for the future. Suriname, though small in size, is a nation of immense diversity, resilience, and character. A new Surinamese identity is needed—one that unites the courage of the Indigenous, the discipline of the Javanese, the pride of the Creoles, the determination of the Hindustanis, the creativity of the Maroons, the flexibility of the Chinese, and the hospitality of the Boeroes. These traits are not contradictions but the building blocks of a unified Surinamese character. To become a model of a small yet well-functioning nation, Suriname must embrace unity in vision, responsibility, and the belief that this country belongs to all its people. The power lies within the people, in their work, attitude, and willingness to do better than yesterday. On this 50th anniversary, the Surinamese Party of Labor (SPA) calls for cherishing and strengthening the good, honestly acknowledging and learning from the wrong, placing labor at the core of progress, building a national identity on the strengths of all cultures, and choosing a future where Suriname not only exists but thrives. Suriname can be a nation that transcends itself, determines its own course, and achieves greatness in its actions, regardless of its size. Together, with labor, unity, and pride, Suriname will continue to build its future.

Fifty years ago, the phrase ‘Here is my contribution’ echoed across Suriname as Prime Minister Henck Arron urged every citizen to help build a prosperous nation. The posters were not mere decorations but a mandate. Now, as Suriname marks 50 years of independence (Srefidensi), that mandate rings louder than ever. Despite decades of dialogue, the task of nation-building remains incomplete. Streets are swept, flags are raised, and celebrations abound, but a clean street does not equate to a renewed state. The real question is not how grandly we celebrate but what we will do differently starting tomorrow. In my chapter in the anthology ‘Independent: 50 Writers on 50 Years of Srefidensi,’ I recount how Suriname feverishly established a constitution, a flag, a government, development aid, and UN membership in 1975. Yet, statehood did not guarantee stability. Coups, war, censorship, corruption, fear, and devaluations followed. Independence, it became clear, is not a destination but a responsibility—one often left to leaders who failed to uphold it. Despite systemic failures, Suriname endured, not because of systems but in spite of them. Surinamers supported one another, but resilience is not a strategy; it is a survival mechanism. A nation cannot survive forever; it must develop. The VSB panel discussion recently held up a mirror to these long-avoided truths. Over the past 50 years, Suriname has remained a resource-dependent nation, reliant on bauxite, gold, and now oil. It fluctuates with global prices, lacking buffers, strong institutions, or sustainable value creation. The message was blunt: continuing on the same path means another 50 years of stagnation. Suriname cannot build on hollowed-out institutions, short-term politics, or a culture of unaccountability. It needs a legally anchored long-term vision, a trustworthy government, and a civil society that acts before crises erupt. Leaders must deliver actions, not just speeches. We already know this. Every congress, committee, and report says the same. Yet, the gap between diagnosis and discipline remains wide. We talk progress to death. Now, with oil and gas on the horizon, the opportunity for transformation—or failure—looms. Without transparency and strict rules, oil will not be salvation but repetition, leaving Suriname precisely where Arron sought to protect it: a seemingly rich nation with impoverished people. Thus, his phrase is not a historical echo but a mandate. The government must create conditions for development, as outlined in Article 6 of the Constitution. Institutions must function independently. Businesses must diversify and create value. Labor unions must guide productivity and justice. Citizens must demand discipline, transparency, and accountability. Journalists must reclaim their role as watchdogs, not spectators. ‘Here is my contribution’ is not a phrase from 1975; it is the question of 2025: What will each of us contribute to the next 50 years? Suriname needs a mental shift: less complaining, more oversight; less promising, more action; less ethnic calculation, more national unity; less giving away, more building. Srefidensi is not just a celebration; it is a test: Are we finally ready to mature as a republic? The time for talk is over. Now, the work begins.