Suriname Bades Farewell to Former President Santokhi
PARAMARIBO, Suriname - Suriname on Tuesday bade a final farewell to former president Chandrikapersad Santokhi, whose grieving wife, Melissa, said she “only wanted to protect him, against exploitation, against the abuse of his body”.
Guyana’s President Dr. irfaan Ali saying a final goodbye to “my brother” former Suriname president Chan Santokhi.Santokhi, 67, a former police officer who served as the ninth president of Suriname, died last week after he had been rushed to hospital.
“He was not only a father to his own children, but also to his brothers and sisters. He was there for them and played a part in shaping their upbringing. One thing was certain: we adored him. He loved good food, but he could also cook delicious dishes himself, such as stuffed bitter melon.
”I did not want to restrict him; I only wanted to protect him, against exploitation, against the abuse of his body,” Mrs Santokhi told mourners, adding that her husband “was not only a man of decisiveness, but also of faith”.
She recalled that every relationship has its own dynamic and that “love lies in small things, in a hand that reaches out to yours”.
Santokhi’s daughter, Shanylla, said that he fulfilled the ‘paparol’; that was his best role.
“He was a strict policeman, but at home it was different. He had to take the word ‘patience’ into account.
“How do I say goodbye to someone who was so great?,” she questioned, adding that she is looking to the wise lessons from her father.
“Where there is a will, there is a way; where there is no way, there is a detour,” she said, adding that her father had dedicated himself to the country and its people.
‘As president, he also worked on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. Only now is he truly at rest.”
Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Alert Ramdin, who served as foreign affairs minister in the Santokhi government that was defeated in the general elections last May, said Santokhi had always demonstrated “statesmanship.
“I came to know him as a man of enormous dedication and tireless discipline. He was driven by love for his country and people. He followed the path of dialogue. There were many challenges, but he remained optimistic, goal-oriented, and looking towards the future.”
Ramdin said that as the minister of foreign affairs, he had experienced Santokhi up close and his aim was also that Suriname had to be placed on the world map as a respectable country. “We must build further on Santokhi’s strong legacy. He was steadfast in his convictions but was also willing to listen to advice,” Ramdin added.
President Jennifer Greelings-Simons said that her predecessor is the fourth former president Suriname has lost in a short time, following Jules Wijdenbosch, Desi Bouterse, and Ronald Venetiaan.
She said his death came unexpectedly, noting however “God disposes. What we can say is that he has completed his task.”
Simons said that she had an in-depth conversation with Santokhi shortly before the transfer of power, in which they discussed politics, governance, and the place of political parties.
“Who could have suspected that eight months later that would be our last conversation,” she added.
The funeral service was attended by several regional and international leaders, including the CARICOM chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrence Drew, who reflected on the loss of a leader who played an important role within the Caribbean community.
“His personality was one of brotherhood. He made an enormous contribution during the six months he served as chairman of CARICOM. He had a fresh approach. He established relationships with non-traditional partners within CARICOM. His call for cultural diversity and modern technology within the organization will resonate for a long time to come.
”Chan was a man of consensus. He focused on the diversity of CARICOM, but also on the general challenges,” Drew observed.
A visibly emotional Guyana President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, spoke of the relationship with Santokhi. “Chan was my friend, but even more so my brother,” he said, adding that cooperation between Suriname and Guyana was significantly strengthened under their leadership, especially during a period when both countries were developing into new oil-producing nations.
According to Ali, they consciously sought rapprochement from the very beginning.
“We wanted to collaborate, not compete, but rather strengthen each other with our expertise,” he said, adding that contact remained close even after Santokhi’s presidency.
“He even texted me during Eid. I told him he needed to rest and come to Guyana with his family. Unfortunately, that time never came,” Ali said, adding that he would continue the work they had started together.
“My brother Chan, I will always think of you and further develop the plans we had.”
Santokhi was the chairman and leader of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP), the main opposition party in the Parliament, and Glenn Oehlers, the acting chairman told the funeral service that “Chan was a child of the district and grew into a man who held the highest office.
“He transformed the party into a Surinamese bromki dyari. He was a leader who did not shy away from difficult decisions and always put the interests of the people first. He also praised his exceptional qualities as a person with a great sense of humor.
“He showed us that leadership means serving, listening, and acting with authority. We will build upon the foundations he laid. His voice will no longer be heard, but his words will lead us,” Oehlers said.
VHP honorary chairman, Ram Sardjoe, said “Today, for the last time as Chairman, you are here,” thanking Santokhi for his services to the rule of law, democracy, and the well-being of all citizens.
“His ideology that all cultures must contribute jointly and in harmony to the development of our country will resonate for a long time to come, said Sardjoe, adding “I salute you for the last time, great son of Suriname”.
Bishop Karel Choennie told the mourners that no one knows the day and hour of death. “Therefore, we must be vigilant by living and giving every moment to the fullest. The deceased former president was prominently present in the cathedral and at various gatherings of other religions.”
Following the Church service, the body was taken to the crematorium in Uitkijk.
