PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Jul 29, CMC -Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Minister, Melvin Bouva, says the government will participate in a ceremony this weekend with Granman Bono Velantie of the Aucaners regarding the border treaty between Suriname and France.
Bouva make the announcement in the National Assembly on Tuesday, after legislators decided to postpone consideration of the legislation to give the traditional authorities the opportunity to hold internal consultations first.
Speaker Ashwin Adhin said he had received a request from the Aucaners Granman Bono Velantie for a so-called ‘ liba krutu ‘ be held first and scheduled for August 2.
“Out of respect for the traditional authority, I cannot do otherwise than ask for your understanding in this matter. Therefore, I am adjourning the discussion of this agenda item until after the krutu ,” Adhin said. The Paramaccaners will hold their krutu on August 1 .
The Speaker said that both the National Assembly and the government intend to resolve the border issue in “a peaceful manner and in harmony” with this approach.
Bouva said that the government respects the request of the traditional authorities and will join the parliamentary delegation invited to the Krutu and that experts from his ministry are ready to provide substantive support to the discussions, answer questions, and address any concerns from the community.
The Foreign Affairs Minister insisted that Suriname does not wish to send any signal with this additional consultation that the border treaty is up for debate, but that Paramaribo is attentive to the concerns of the communities involved, while simultaneously working on a careful process that is ultimately in the interest of Suriname and its international partners.
Bouva said that free navigation and free traffic on the Marowijne River must remain guaranteed, calling this an important principle that will also be confirmed during the discussions with the communities.
Following the krutu , Parliament will subsequently consider the draft law approving the protocol between Suriname and France regarding the border between Suriname and French Guiana.
Adhin said that Parliament has worked intensively on this subject since the initial consideration on November 17, 2025. In doing so, all relevant groups have been consulted, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also held discussions with stakeholders.
The parliamentary leader of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Asis Gajadien, noted however, that the government has sufficient instruments at its disposal to inform the population earlier and better.
He said it is precisely inadequate communication and insufficient information that are partly the cause of the unrest that has arisen and called on the government not only to accept invitations from traditional authorities but also to actively deploy all available means to fully inform the communities.
Chairman of the Committee of Rapporteurs (CvR), and leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Rabin Parmessar, emphasized the importance of a careful consultation process with the communities involved.
Parmessar said Granman Bono Velantie’s recent request to first hold a krutu with his followers fits within the Aucan tradition.
“The granman must first speak with his people before a definitive position is taken,” he said, urging the parliament and the government to give the traditional authority the space to carefully conclude that process.
“They are our fellow citizens. If communication has been insufficient, then we must rectify that together,” he told the Assembly.
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