UNDER GREAT INTEREST Suriname said goodbye to former president Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Tuesday. Fortunately, the political animosity between supporters and opponents that bubbled up on social media early last week immediately after his sudden death did not overshadow the state funeral.
It was a dignified and modest farewell, in which respect and reflection predominated. United in mourning, with an eye for the person behind the driver, fellow countrymen and representatives of other countries said goodbye.
Leaders are rarely fully understood during their lifetime. Only with the passage of time does a more balanced picture of their meaning and legacy emerge
The personal words of his widow and daughter revealed a different Santokhi than the often criticized politician. They depicted a man of dedication, sense of duty and family ties. This gave the audience an insight into the complexity of a leader who not only made decisions, but also bore the consequences.
Santokhi’s presidency was marked by difficult choices. His strict economic recovery program affected large parts of the population and made him unpopular. Yet it cannot be denied that these measures have laid the foundations for economic recovery and future prosperity. Leadership is rarely measured by short-term popularity, but rather by the sustainability of the choices that are made.
The ceremonies, which started in De Olifant and ended in Uitkijk, reflected that double heritage. There was recognition for its national role, but also for its significance in the region. Foreign leaders praised him as a bridge builder and someone who put cooperation above division. His commitment to regional integration and diplomatic relations underlines that his influence extended beyond national borders.
President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons put it well: the presidency is a lonely responsibility, in which one person ultimately bears the burden of decisions. Santokhi held that office during a turbulent period, with all the restrictions and expectations that come with it.
In the days after his death it became clear how quickly judgments can harden, but also how a farewell can create room for nuance. The state funeral offered that space. Not to erase criticism, but to put it into perspective.
Leaders are rarely fully understood during their lifetime. Only with the passage of time does a more balanced picture of their meaning and legacy emerge. This will also apply to Santokhi, as well as to his colleagues who preceded him. Ultimately, history will judge what Chandrikapersad Santokhi has done and meant for Suriname.
