PARAMARIBO — The chairman of the National Boundary Commission of Suriname, Ambassador Harold Kolader, has given a presentation to the Traditional Authority of Eastern Suriname on the border issue between Suriname and French Guiana. The presentation, which was held on Tuesday in the Ballroom of Torarica, aimed to provide more clarity to Indigenous and Tribal Peoples about the importance of the adoption of the border law.
The consideration of the bill was previously postponed after the Aucan granman, Bono Velantie, submitted a petition to the National Assembly (DNA) in November 2025. Due to several incidents that occurred on the Marowijne River, negotiations on the border issue between Suriname and French Guiana started in 2018. The border in the Marowijne and Lawa rivers has already been established in an agreement signed in Paris in March 2021.
“A country must have clear borders”
Ambassador Harold Kolader
According to Ambassador Kolader, dialogue is of great importance and the border law will lead to a win-win situation for both Suriname and French Guiana. “A country must have clear borders,” said Kolader. He further emphasized that the river will not be managed by one country, but jointly by both countries.
Kenrich Cairo, who represented granman Bono Velantie, indicated that the rights of the Aucan community must be clearly guaranteed. He emphasized that they are not against the adoption of the law, but are concerned about the irregularities occurring on the river, especially on the part of the French. Head captain of Pamaaka, Erwin Kamiel, who represented granman Jozef Forster, indicated that the border law should be passed properly so that irregularities on the river can be minimized.
The Ministry of Regional Development plays a facilitating role in the process surrounding the adoption of the border law. Minister Miquella Huur and the management team were present at the meeting. In addition, the granman of the Aluku, Glunder Simeon, and the chairman of the Association of Indigenous Village Heads in Suriname, Muriël Fernandes, were also present at this special presentation.
