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标签： Suriname

苏里南

  • Misiekaba:Investeren in preventie mentale problemen is nationale prioriteit

    Misiekaba:Investeren in preventie mentale problemen is nationale prioriteit

    Suriname’s Health Minister André Misiekaba has issued a compelling call to make mental healthcare a fundamental component of the nation’s preventive health strategy. The minister delivered this message during his opening address at a two-day symposium on mental health held Saturday at Hotel Torarica’s Ballroom.

    The conference, organized to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Suriname’s Psychiatric Center (PCS), convened under the theme “Mental Health: Developments, Challenges & Future Perspectives.” Minister Misiekaba expressed profound appreciation for healthcare professionals working with mental health patients while emphasizing the contemporary relevance and societal importance of the symposium’s focus.

    Minister Misiekaba advocated for a paradigm shift from treatment-centered approaches toward preventive strategies. “We must prevent people from developing mental health problems. And if they do develop them, we must ensure they receive appropriate care timely. This is why investing in prevention, early detection, and treatment is crucial,” the minister stressed.

    He further highlighted the critical importance of expanding ambulatory care services, enabling patients to receive support and treatment within their familiar environments while maintaining daily routines and activities.

    Addressing systemic challenges, Minister Misiekaba pointed to significant staffing shortages within the mental healthcare sector. He urged targeted investments in specialized education, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives to address personnel deficits and enhance both service quality and accessibility.

    The minister concluded by thanking organizers and participants for their dedication in facilitating the symposium, expressing hope that the proceedings would generate productive discussions and actionable recommendations.

    The gathering brought together healthcare professionals, subject matter experts, and policy makers to exchange knowledge and experiences, contributing to the development of a structured, forward-looking mental health policy framework for Suriname.

  • Wereldwijde reacties op dood van Iran’s Khamenei: verdeeldheid en onrust

    Wereldwijde reacties op dood van Iran’s Khamenei: verdeeldheid en onrust

    The assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike has triggered seismic geopolitical repercussions across the Middle East and beyond, unleashing both mourning and celebration while threatening regional stability.

    International responses reflect deep ideological divisions. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas characterized the event as a historic turning point that could potentially open pathways toward greater Iranian freedoms, while simultaneously warning of persistent uncertainties. Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed profound condolences to Khamenei’s family, condemning the operation as a cynical violation of international law and moral principles.

    Middle Eastern powers demonstrated remarkable unity as Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia unanimously condemned Iranian missile attacks following the assassination, emphasizing their sovereign right to self-defense. Bahrain specifically denounced the assault on the U.S. Fifth Fleet as ‘treacherous.’

    France’s President Emmanuel Macron urgently convened a UN Security Council meeting, highlighting escalation dangers and calling for renewed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard cautiously acknowledged potential opportunities while warning against descending into violence spirals.

    In Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s Ulema Council expressed deep sympathy and criticized U.S. involvement, urging withdrawal from the Board of Peace organization which they claim promotes unequal security policies. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the attacks while advocating immediate diplomatic de-escalation.

    Domestically, Iran presented contrasting narratives. State television broadcast images of black-clad mourners gathering in Tehran’s Enghelab Square, while simultaneous celebrations erupted in Dehloran, Karaj and Izeh. In Galleh Dar, protesters toppled a monument of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Khomeini, with one celebrator exclaiming, ‘Hello new world!’ Educational professionals expressed concerns about potential Iraqi-style chaos engulfing the nation.

    The assassination ignited violence across Shiite communities worldwide. Karachi witnessed deadly riots at the U.S. consulate claiming at least nine lives, while protesters set fire to a UN office in Skardu. Baghdad police deployed tear gas against pro-Iranian demonstrators near the U.S. embassy, where crowds chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’ Western diplomatic missions and multinational corporations across Pakistan have significantly enhanced security protocols.

    This watershed moment underscores profound global divisions, with the coming days likely determining not only Iran’s future trajectory but regional stability throughout the Middle East.

  • Ramadhin: De dubbele moraal van Silvana Afonsoewa

    Ramadhin: De dubbele moraal van Silvana Afonsoewa

    A significant political controversy has emerged in Suriname involving parliamentarian Silvana Afonsoewa, who serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Health. Former Health Minister Amar Ramadhin has publicly accused Afonsoewa of improperly receiving government salary without performing work between June 2020 and February 2023 while she was a civil servant at the Ministry of Health.

    The case originated when Afonsoewa, having lost her parliamentary seat in the May 2020 elections, applied for a position at the Health Ministry. She was appointed to a non-existent position by then-Minister Antoine Elias and placed on the ministry’s payroll without a fixed workplace or formal documentation of her employment terms. According to ministry records, she received regular salary payments despite never reporting for work during this nearly three-year period.

    In early 2023, ministry leadership discovered Afonsoewa’s continued presence on payroll despite her absence from work since June 2020. Her salary was suspended in March 2023, and she was instructed to defend her position. Her defense failed to convince officials that ministry leadership should have been aware of arrangements made with the previous minister.

    Afonsoewa subsequently filed an emergency lawsuit against the State of Suriname, demanding payment of back wages from March to November 2023, continuation of salary, and reimbursement of legal costs. The state argued she had no right to compensation since she performed no work, never reported to perform duties, and no written records existed documenting any special arrangements.

    The court ruled that while employees generally retain salary rights when unable to work due to employer-related circumstances, they must demonstrate willingness to work. The judge determined Afonsoewa failed to prove she actively and systematically offered to work, thus preventing the conclusion that her inactivity was solely attributable to the state.

    The court rejected all of Afonsoewa’s claims and ordered her to pay the state’s legal costs. Despite these judicial findings, Afonsoewa has publicly denied the allegations and presented what Ramadhin characterizes as a complete distortion of facts regarding her ministry tenure.

  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: De leider die Irans verzet vormgaf

    Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: De leider die Irans verzet vormgaf

    In a seismic geopolitical development, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed during coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting his residential compound on Saturday. President Donald Trump announced that Khamenei and several high-ranking officials “could not evade American intelligence agencies and advanced tracking systems.” Iranian state television subsequently verified the death hours later, confirming the simultaneous fatalities of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning.

    Khamenei’s political trajectory was fundamentally shaped by wartime leadership and profound Western skepticism. Assuming power in 1989 following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, he transformed from ideological successor to strategic architect of Iran’s military and paramilitary infrastructure. His presidency during the devastating Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) cemented his distrust of Western powers, particularly the United States, after their support for Saddam Hussein’s regime.

    According to Vali Nasr, Iran expert and author of ‘Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History,’ Khamenei operated as “a wartime president who emerged from conflict recognizing Iran’s vulnerability and need for security.” This perspective fueled his development of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from paramilitary force into a dominant security, political, and economic institution. His “resistance economy” concept aimed to achieve self-sufficiency amid crushing Western sanctions.

    Khamenei’s tenure faced significant challenges, including the violent suppression of 2009 election protests (the Green Movement) and nationwide demonstrations over women’s rights in 2022. The greatest crisis emerged in January with widespread economic unrest triggering calls to overthrow the Islamic Republic, met by the most severe state violence since the 1979 revolution.

    Born in 1939 in Mashhad to an Azerbaijani family, Khamenei began Quranic studies at age four. His theological education in Najaf and Qom brought him under Khomeini’s mentorship, shaping his revolutionary activism against the Shah’s regime. Multiple arrests and exile to Iranshahr preceded his return during the revolution that toppled the Pahlavi monarchy.

    Post-revolution, Khamenei served as Defense Minister (1980) and IRGC supervisor before narrowly surviving an assassination attempt and becoming Iran’s first clerical president in 1981. His appointment as Supreme Leader in 1989 occurred despite not meeting traditional qualifications, focusing instead on rebuilding a war-torn nation and strengthening military capabilities.

    Khamenei demonstrated occasional pragmatism, supporting the 2015 nuclear deal as tactical arrangement rather than normalization with the U.S. Following America’s withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, he intensified anti-American rhetoric and expanded nuclear activities.

    Regionally, Khamenei constructed the “axis of resistance” network including Hezbollah, Assad’s Syria, and Hamas. This alliance recently weakened after intensified strikes on Iranian targets, culminating in the June 2025 U.S.-Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities and military leadership that precipitated retaliatory missile strikes against Israel and American bases.

    Khamenei’s legacy remains defined by perpetual resistance to Western influence, unwavering prioritization of national security, and consequential isolation that exacted heavy economic costs on Iran’s population. Despite widespread criticism regarding human rights and suppression of dissent, he established an indelible imprint on contemporary Iranian politics and Middle Eastern geopolitics.

  • Suriname en Brazilië gaan voor moderne landbouw en grotere voedselproductie

    Suriname en Brazilië gaan voor moderne landbouw en grotere voedselproductie

    Suriname and Brazil are embarking on an ambitious agricultural partnership aimed at enhancing food security, technological advancement, and trade expansion. The collaborative initiative emerged during high-level discussions between Mike Noersalim, Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, and Brazilian Ambassador Felipe Costi Santarosa.

    The diplomatic exchange sets the stage for a technical mission scheduled for late March, where both nations will develop concrete cooperation projects. A primary focus involves strengthening Suriname’s livestock sector, which currently depends heavily on Brazilian poultry imports. While beef imports remain limited, Minister Noersalim emphasized that expanding local production would reduce consumer prices and increase national self-sufficiency.

    Beyond livestock, the partnership explores opportunities in horticulture, particularly passion fruit cultivation. Despite having processing facilities for passion fruit pulp, Suriname struggles with insufficient fruit supply. Both countries are investigating the legal introduction of premium Brazilian varieties, including the Giant F1 strain, to scale production capabilities.

    Rice cultivation represents another priority area. Through knowledge exchange with Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Suriname aims to increase yield per hectare while advancing its dryland rice project as part of broader agricultural modernization efforts.

    The collaboration also targets production cost reduction in livestock and aquaculture. Suriname is exploring strategies to replace imported soy and corn with domestic production, with Brazil providing technical expertise in establishing sustainable supply chains. Additional opportunities exist in developing freshwater cage culture systems for fisheries.

    Minister Noersalim highlighted Suriname’s potential to become Brazil’s strategic gateway to European markets, leveraging its logistical advantages and connections to the Surinamese community in the Netherlands.

    The upcoming technical mission on March 26-27 is expected to yield detailed project proposals and potential financing arrangements for passion fruit cultivation, poultry sector development, and rice production. This bilateral cooperation marks a significant step toward creating a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector in Suriname.

  • Rijstboeren krijgen padieprijs aangeboden van SRD 500–550 per baal

    Rijstboeren krijgen padieprijs aangeboden van SRD 500–550 per baal

    In a significant development for Suriname’s agricultural sector, rice farmers have secured substantially improved pricing following government-mediated negotiations. Minister Mike Noersalim of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) successfully facilitated an agreement that will see rice millers offering between SRD 500–550 per bale, a notable increase from the previously proposed SRD 300–400 range.

    The breakthrough emerged from comprehensive consultations involving multiple stakeholders, including Agriculture Minister Noersalim, Economic Affairs Minister Andrew Basaaron, parliamentary representative Ebu Jones, and Edmund Duiker, Chairman of the NOFA Fund. The discussions focused not only on immediate pricing concerns but also on establishing sustainable solutions for subsequent harvesting seasons.

    Ashwin Jagmohansing, President of the Nickerie Rice Farmers Interest Group Association (VBPN), expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating he would return to his members with positive news. Approximately 20,000–22,000 hectares of rice have been planted for the current season.

    Minister Noersalim emphasized that while LVV maintains a mediator role in price determinations, the rice sector operates under a free-market system where prices are ultimately determined by supply and demand dynamics. The ministry’s intervention aims to streamline negotiations ensuring both producer satisfaction and continued rice production stability.

    Infrastructure improvements were also addressed, with Minister Noersalim confirming resolution of pumping station issues at Wakay and ongoing efforts to upgrade irrigation systems through public tenders.

    The pricing dispute represents a longstanding challenge in global agricultural markets, as noted by Economic Affairs Minister Basaaron, who highlighted regional developments influencing price structures. The current administration has committed to establishing comprehensive cost-calculation methodologies with broad stakeholder support.

    Parliamentarian Ebu Jones praised the collaborative approach, contrasting it with previous administrations’ priorities. He emphasized that fair pricing for farmers would ultimately benefit consumers through potentially lower market prices for rice products, creating a win-win scenario for both producers and the broader society.

  • Staatstelevisie Teheran bevestigd dood Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    Staatstelevisie Teheran bevestigd dood Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    In a seismic development that has shaken the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, Iranian state television has officially confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, along with several family members during coordinated airstrikes on his residence. The announcement marks an unprecedented moment in Iran’s modern history, ending Khamenei’s 37-year reign as the Islamic Republic’s highest authority.

    American President Donald Trump initially disclosed the operation, characterizing it as a successful joint mission between United States and Israeli forces. According to Trump’s statement, Khamenei and associated Iranian officials were unable to evade sophisticated American intelligence tracking systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently reinforced these claims, citing mounting evidence confirming the Supreme Leader’s demise.

    The tragedy extends beyond political implications, with confirmation that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter also perished in the attack. Iranian media delivered the news through solemn programming, withholding specific operational details while acknowledging the multidimensional loss.

    Following constitutional protocols, Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning alongside seven days of official holiday periods. Regional analysts anticipate intense political maneuvering within Iran’s religious hierarchy as the Assembly of Experts convenes to select Khamenei’s successor—a process that could fundamentally reshape Iran’s domestic policies and international relations.

    Global observers are monitoring Tehran’s transition with heightened alertness, recognizing Iran’s substantial influence across Middle Eastern affairs and global energy markets. The unprecedented nature of this event suggests potential volatility in regional stability, with particular attention on Iran’s proxy networks and nuclear policy trajectory.

  • SEOB waarschuwt: economie blijft fragiel, strikte discipline en hervormingen noodzakelijk

    SEOB waarschuwt: economie blijft fragiel, strikte discipline en hervormingen noodzakelijk

    The Suriname Economic Oversight Board (SEOB) has issued a stark warning about the nation’s ongoing economic fragility in its latest February 2026 bulletin. While acknowledging certain stabilizing factors including robust banking institutions and relatively strong reserve positions, the independent monitoring body highlighted several critical concerns that continue to threaten macroeconomic stability.

    The report reveals accelerating inflation rates, persistent government deficits, and national debt levels soaring significantly above the internationally accepted threshold of 60% of GDP. This elevated debt ratio presents substantial risks to economic stability according to the oversight board’s analysis.

    In response to these challenges, the SEOB has presented comprehensive recommendations centered on implementing strict fiscal discipline. Key proposals include enhancing fiscal transparency, developing coherent medium-term tax policy frameworks, establishing five-year government financial plans with expenditure ceilings, and implementing sustainability targets for total public debt.

    The board specifically addressed concerns regarding substantial government subsidies, particularly in the electricity sector. Recommendations call for transparent divestment of non-strategic, loss-making state enterprises that require significant subsidies and the formal proclamation of procurement legislation to ensure transparency and cost control in government contracts.

    Looking toward anticipated offshore oil revenues, the SEOB emphasized the urgent need to strengthen and operationalize critical institutions including the Savings and Stabilization Fund (SSFS). The organization stressed that transparency and anti-corruption mechanisms must be fully established before substantial revenue inflows begin.

    To reduce mining sector dependency, the report advocates for active economic diversification efforts prioritizing agricultural development (including fisheries and processing), service sector expansion, ecotourism, and collaborative production and export growth strategies between government and private enterprises.

    The bulletin also addressed debt management and monetary policy coordination, highlighting the necessity of active debt management given current debt levels and ensuring proper alignment between fiscal and monetary policies to contain inflationary pressures and stabilize the Surinamese dollar. Maintaining central bank independence in accordance with the 2022 Central Bank Act remains paramount.

    Finally, the SEOB underscored that sustainable economic recovery depends not merely on statistical improvements but equally on building confidence through consistent policy implementation and clear communication regarding socioeconomic strategy for the coming years.

  • Toepassing van aangeleerde landbouwkennis nóg belangrijker dan training

    Toepassing van aangeleerde landbouwkennis nóg belangrijker dan training

    Coronie, one of Suriname’s most agriculturally significant districts, has successfully concluded an intensive three-month training program on Traditional Compost production, marking a substantial advancement in sustainable farming practices. The program, which commenced on November 20, 2025, focused on mastering the complete process of creating traditional compost, locally known as ‘blaka doti.’

    William Waidoe, Deputy Director of Western Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), emphasized during the closing ceremony that while training remains crucial, the practical application of acquired knowledge holds even greater importance. He highlighted Coronie’s exceptionally fertile soil as ideally suited for agricultural development and reaffirmed LVV’s role as the authoritative body providing essential knowledge transfer to realize this potential.

    A notable aspect of the Coronie training was the overwhelming participation of women, who constituted the majority of attendees. Among them was Leonie Kerseboom-Lynch, a professional midwife who immediately implemented her training by constructing a compost heap alongside her husband to support his agricultural activities. Her primary motivation stemmed from composting’s environmental benefits, noting that the process not only offers sustainable organic waste management but also creates potential revenue streams through surplus compost sales while contributing to cleaner living environments.

    This training initiative forms part of the broader ‘Strengthening of Citrus Production’ project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The project aims to enhance Suriname’s citrus production capabilities through improved facilities at LVV citrus nurseries and the production of high-quality planting materials. Quality growth medium in plant bags has been identified as essential to this endeavor, prompting the establishment of compost camps and training sessions across various LVV ressort offices, experimental gardens, and nurseries for both ministry staff and interested community members.

    Soesila Ramautar of the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing (DLOAV), who led the training with her team, expressed considerable satisfaction with the outcomes. This event marked Coronie’s first participation in compost training at this level and represented the final compost training activity within the IDB-funded citrus project framework.

  • SABI Literatuurfestival 2026: lezing over Bea Vianen biedt inzichten in haar literaire loopbaan

    SABI Literatuurfestival 2026: lezing over Bea Vianen biedt inzichten in haar literaire loopbaan

    The SABI Literature Festival 2026 commenced on Friday with an illuminating lecture by literary scholar Thalia Ostendorf focusing on the groundbreaking work of Surinamese author Bea Vianen. The opening event took place at the library of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, setting the stage for a celebration of Surinamese literary heritage.

    Coco Duivenvoorde, Director of Villa Zapakara, initiated proceedings by outlining the successful reading promotion project recently conducted in collaboration with Skrifi foundation. The initiative included an extensive reading tour reaching children across Paramaribo and multiple districts including Marowijne, Sipaliwini, Brokopondo, Saramacca, Coronie and Nickerie, complemented by a dedicated children’s book festival.

    Ostendorf’s presentation highlighted Vianen’s complex legacy as the first Surinamese woman published by a Dutch publishing house in 1969 – a distinction she characterized as ‘dubious’ given the delayed recognition and the persistent Dutch standards applied to Surinamese diaspora writers. The academic meticulously analyzed Vianen’s complete literary corpus, noting that all but one of her novels are set in Suriname and consistently explore the nation’s multicultural fabric, particularly where cultural tensions create personal and social friction.

    The analysis traced Vianen’s evolving narrative approach across her works: from the constrained adolescence of Sita in ‘Sarnami hai’ (1969), through the political turmoil of ‘Strafhok’ (1970) examining predetermined guilt during civil service strikes, to the boarding school dynamics of ‘Ik eet, ik eet, tot ik niet meer kan’ (1972). Ostendorf particularly emphasized ‘Het paradijs van Oranje’ (1973), which dissects the failed migration dream to the Netherlands, and ‘Geen onderdelen’ (1979), which explores Muslim-Hindu tensions through the lens of a writer returned from Holland.

    The lecture’s second segment revealed Ostendorf’s ongoing biographical research on Vianen, noting the significant challenge posed by the absence of a preserved writer’s archive. The scholar described her painstaking process of locating scattered documents and conducting interviews with those who knew Vianen, particularly within Suriname. The audience responded enthusiastically, with many expressing hope for future lectures on Surinamese literary figures.

    The SABI Literature Festival aims to establish itself as a comprehensive platform showcasing the diverse facets of Surinamese literature, creating space for public engagement, creative dialogue, and artistic innovation beyond comfort zones. This multi-day celebration honors both the richness and ongoing evolution of the nation’s literary tradition, spotlighting writers, musicians, and creators who have shaped and continue to refresh the literary landscape.

    The inaugural program continues with additional events including a musical lecture by Xillan Macrooy across venues including Souposo, Spice Quest, and the Anton de Kom library. The festival is organized by Stichting Skrifi with support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature.