GEORGETOWN, Guyana– The Guyana government says it will continue holding talks with Suriname “at the highest level” as it seeks to obtain official licenses to end the ongoing harassment of local fishermen.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who visited the neighboring Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country last week for talks with officials there, told a meeting of fisherfolk on Sunday that while Suriname has committed to fixing the matter, “they keep making commitments but are not delivering on those commitments.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing fisherfolk on Sunday,
“We are trying our utmost…when we raise these issues, they make commitments and then nothing. It is beyond our control,” Mustapha said.
In August 2021, Guyana and Suriname agreed that licenses would be issued directly to 150 Guyanese fishers, but that is yet to materialize, although it was expected in January 2021.
Foreign Affairs Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, told the meeting that the government would continue to dialogue with Paramaribo.
“They (Suriname) have their political issues and particular interest…we are seeing progress on all the other problems except the license, but we will get it done despite the forces working against that.
“Government will keep you in the loop,” he sought to reassure the meeting, adding that the delay “is not lack of effort on government’s end.”
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who also addressed Sunday’s meeting, said the matter remains a priority of the Irfaan Ali administration. The only move the administration can commit to presently is advancing the pressure on the neighboring country at the highest level.
“There are a whole range of problems over there; we don’t control that; we wish we could. We are in the same position you are, a little helpless, and it’s sad. I don’t want to admit it, but it is true,” Jagdeo said.
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