The Surinamese government is withdrawing some measures that were introduced after Friday’s riots. Surinamese President Chan Santokhi announced this in a video message on Sunday evening. According to Santokhi, normal life is intended to resume from Monday morning.
On Friday, riots broke out in Suriname after a protest against the government about the poor economic situation in the country. What started as a peaceful protest spiraled out of control. The Surinamese parliament building was stormed, shops and petrol stations were looted.
The government then decided to close off the center of the capital. Shops also had to keep their doors closed all weekend. This is to restore peace to the country.
Shops and gas stations will be allowed to receive customers again on Monday and public transport will also run again, Santokhi announces by video. Schools will remain closed for another day.
Security measures remain in force in a number of places. For example, extra patrols are being carried out on certain roads and security forces are present at the telecom company, the electricity company and schools, the government has decided.
Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk also addressed the population via a video message. He called on society not to be provoked. If things get out of hand, the youth in particular will suffer, he said. Brunswijk appealed to parents to keep their children from looting. “The president and I want society to continue to live in peace.”
