By: Staff Writer
February 24, 2023
A vocal Surinamese activist is a warrior against the injustice of the Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi government as he vows to continue on his criticism despite the threat of incarceration or worse.
Siebrano Pique, told Caribbean Magazine Plus that President Santokhi has “forgotten” about the people since he got elected. Also, that Santokhi walks around with bullet proof vests now afraid to meet the people face to face. “That is not how he was when he wanted our votes,” he said.
President Santokhi was elected in July, 2020 after having formed a coalition between his party, The Progressive Reform Party and the General Liberation and Development Party, the National Party of Suriname and the Pertjajah Luhur. The nominations were supported by all 33 coalition MPs. As no other candidates were nominated by the deadline on 8 July, Santokhi and Brunswijk were elected on 13 July by acclamation in an uncontested election.
But all of that support has changed in the last few weeks as the Surinamese parliament was sieged and dozens of protesters forced their way into Suriname’s parliament with hundreds more rampaging through the capital Paramaribo last Friday, clashing with police as demonstrations against the government descended into chaos. “I wasn’t behind anything. I’m a warrior and I’m peaceful. I know if Suriname goes into chaos right now we will go back 40 years in time and that’s not what I want.
“What I want is that the government is treating us good. They do what they tell us to do and the fake promises they put an end to that. But we are going to stay quiet and do our thing. But I tell you this man Chan Santokhi, the President, he cannot lead the country without the people in this country helping him.”
Mr Pique also said: “We’re getting tired of the lies and blaming the former President Dési Bouterse. It’s your time now. There is nothing that comes out of Santokhi’s mouth that I believe.”
Mr Pique has been protesting against the “injustices” of the Surinamese government since 2015 under the previous Bouterse government and has picked up steam in the last two years organising protests and demonstrations in Suriname. However, this recent storming of the parliament, Mr Pique says “I was not involved with that.”
He was questioned by the police on Tuesday but was released without being charged and to that he is “happy,” but he insists that the Santokhi government must leave office for their incompetence and general lack of concern for the Surinamese people. “Santokhi is not the right person in this place as President. He doesn’t even know what love means. He has no emotions. He doesn’t talk with us. It is now two and a half years and he has never come on television and talk to the people. The man is arrogant,” Mr Pique said.
He also said: “When Santokhi was the Minister of Justice he was at his best, but as President, he is the worst I have ever seen in all of my life.