PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Nov 9, CMC – President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says she will hold a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Security, Harish Monorath, on Tuesday amid heighten speculation that he will be replaced in the Cabinet.
Speaking at a news conference here on Monday to discuss the state of security in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, the head of state told reporters that it is only after her discussions with Monorath, she will decide whether he retains his position in the government that came to office on July 16, 2025.
Media reports here say that Monorath’s position has come under scrutiny partly due to an issue surrounding the Telecommunications Authority of Suriname (TAS) with President Geerlings-Simons already describing the criminal complaint against Monorath, who was chairman of the Supervisory Board, in the TAS affair, as serious.
When she was asked whether she intends to remove him from the cabinet, President Geerlings-Simons replied “the Minister of Justice and Police and I are having a meeting tomorrow, and then you will hear”.
Monorath was also present at the news conference that took place after the head of state met with several stakeholders to discuss the measures the government intends to deal with the crime situation.
Geerlings-Simons said that the security services are primarily responsible for combating crime, but that the government must ensure they have sufficient personnel, vehicles, and other resources at their disposal.
She said that the police will receive additional support from the National Army and that there will be a heighten presence of security personnel in Paramaribo and other high-risk areas.
The President expressed her concern regarding the recent violent incidents, in which people were shot dead at close range in broad daylight.
Available crime data will be utilised to deploy scarce personnel capacity more effectively. In addition, the former Military Police post near Fort Zeelandia is being brought back into use as a permanent post for police and military personnel.
Domestic security is also being tightened. The government is working on an agreement with the United States for access to satellite imagery, which will allow for a better mapping of, among other things, illegal landing sites for small aircraft and criminal activities.
The agreement still needs to be considered by parliament.
President Geerlings-Simons said that investments in the security services are necessary to effectively regulate the gold sector as well.
“We cannot leave the hinterland as a free-for-all,” she said, adding that a better regulated and secured gold sector will generate more revenue in the long term.
“If we offer security to the people in the gold sector and teach them other things, then that gold sector will generate money again,” said President Geerlings-Simons.
CMC/kjl/ir/2026