Suriname has lodged a formal protest against Guyana following reports of infrastructural developments in a disputed border region, specifically targeting initiatives in the Tigri area. Suriname’s Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin has summoned the Guyanese ambassador to express concerns regarding unauthorized activities and the implications for bilateral relations. Historical underpinnings of this territorial dispute continue to impact diplomatic interactions between both countries.
On Friday, Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation, formally protested to the government of Guyana regarding plans to develop infrastructure in a contested border region. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali announced intentions to improve an airstrip at Camp Jaguar in the disputed Tigri area, prompting Ramdin to summon Guyana’s ambassador, Virjanand Depoo, to discuss these developments.
During the diplomatic meeting, Ramdin voiced concerns about President Ali’s project to pave the airstrip in the Upper Corantijn region and earlier reports about establishing a school on Kasjoe Island, both located within the disputed territory. Ramdin expressed his disapproval of Guyana’s actions that he interpreted as unauthorized incursions into Surinamese territory, highlighting a violation of past agreements made in Chaguaramas in 1970.
The minister further stated that such public declarations by the Guyanese government risk undermining the constructive cooperation that has been fostered between Suriname and Guyana. The historical context of this territorial dispute dates back to military confrontations in the late 1960s, when Guyana took control of the territory, leading to various mediation efforts, specifically by Trinidad and Tobago. Past leaders, including David Granger of Guyana and Desiré Bouterse of Suriname, engaged in discussions aimed at finding amicable resolutions, underlining the enduring sensitivity surrounding the Tigri Area.
The Tigri Area, often referred to as the New River Triangle by Guyana, is situated in the southwestern region of Suriname and is an essential part of the Coeroeni Resort in the Sipaliwini District. This territorial dispute has historical roots, with tensions arising shortly after Guyana gained independence. In 1969, the Guyana Defence Force assumed control of the contested area, leading to skirmishes with Surinamese militias, and subsequently, mediation efforts were sought in the early 1970s. Despite agreements reached in 1970 to withdraw military forces from the contested region, Guyana’s ongoing presence has not adhered to these terms, maintaining a contentious relationship between the two nations.
The diplomatic tensions between Suriname and Guyana underscore a longstanding territorial dispute, aggravated by recent initiatives proposed by the Guyanese government in the contested Tigri area. Suriname’s formal protest illustrates the sensitivity surrounding the issue and highlights the necessity for ongoing dialogue aimed at a peaceful resolution. Both nations have historical precedents for mediation, which may hold potential for resolving these disputes amicably.
Original Source: www.guardian.co.tt
