Corruption scandals and gridlock paralyze Suriname’s government

Deep administrative dysfunction and kickback schemes undermine public confidence ahead of the 1980 coup.

Date: 1977-1979

Political Gridlock and Corruption Scandals Paralyze Suriname

Details:

  • Between 1977 and 1979, Suriname's political and administrative systems were gridlocked.
  • There were significant corruption scandals, particularly at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Public Works, led by Mr. Karamat Ali, involving kickbacks for construction projects.

Significance:

  • Establishes the deep-rooted corruption and governmental dysfunction that characterized the Henck Arron administration in the years immediately preceding the 1980 coup.
  • This "general malaise" created the social and political conditions that made a military intervention seem like a viable or even necessary alternative to many.

Source:

REVO KRANT: EEN AANZET OM DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN DE REVOLUTIE VAST TE LEGGEN. “40 Revo: Dag Der Bevrijding En Vernieuwing.” February 24, 2020. (Text provided by user).

Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/njjfdb0hhjajqoacwl3fz/Rapport-Surinaamse-Leger-1980-1983.pdf

Internal Link:

Date:
July 1, 1977
Categories:
Foiled Coups & Plots, Log, Matthew Smith, Military & Intel, Politics, U.S. Interventions
Tags:
Corruption, Political Gridlock, Press, Sergeants Coup 1980 Prelude
Boxes:
MW Zotero
Years:
1977, 1978, 1979
Persons:
Karamat Ali
META DATA
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