सूरीनाम के पूर्व राष्ट्रपति चंद्रिकाप्रसाद संतोखी का अचानक निधन, जेनिफर सिमंस ने दी श्रद्धांजलि – Suriname former president Chandrikapersad Santokhi dies at age of 67 ntc drmt
Former President of South American country Suriname Chandrikaprasad Santokhi has passed away. Santokhi breathed his last on Monday at the age of 67. The current President of Suriname Jennifer Simons has confirmed his death.
President Jennifer Simmons issued a statement on social media informing about the demise of Chandrikaprasad Santokhi. Simmons remembered Santokhi’s contribution and paid tribute to him.
At present, the reason for Santokhi’s sudden demise is not known. Even after leaving the post of President, he was active as a Member of Parliament.
In his statement, Simmons wrote of Santokhi, ‘His many years of service in various public offices will be remembered.’ Let us tell you that Santokhi had served as the President of the country from 2020 to 2025.
Chandrikaprasad Santokhi was the president of ‘Progressive Reform Party’. In last year’s elections, he got the highest number of votes compared to any other MP. However, her party lagged behind Simmons’ National Democratic Party by a small margin, after which Jennifer Simmons became President under a coalition agreement.
During his tenure, Santokhi implemented several stringent economic reforms supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His opponents alleged that these reforms did not provide adequate protection to the poor and weaker sections of the society. Addressing MPs in July, Santokhi had said, ‘I have taken responsibility for my shortcomings and hope I will be remembered for my commitment.’
Struggle for justice and police career
Before becoming President, Santokhi had been Police Commissioner and Justice Minister. He investigated the case of the murder of 15 prominent critics of the government in 1982 and insisted on taking it forward. Former President Desi Bouterse was convicted in the same case in 2019.
Bouterse had conspired to kidnap and murder 16 critics (lawyers, journalists, union leaders and professors), of whom only one person survived. Santokhi had defeated Bouterse in the 2020 elections. Bouterse’s sentence was upheld in December 2023 and he died a fugitive a year later.
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