SURINAME-President Santokhi wants to ease ethnic tensions in Suriname.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC -President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi says his administration will during this year “act with force to ensure a sense of security and counter ethnic tensions” in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

“As we embrace 2024, we are at the beginning of a promising chapter for our beloved Suriname. In the new year, the coming months will be a time of renewed hope, strengthened faith, greater unity, and deep-rooted patriotism. As a nation, we have made sacrifices, and now it is time to reap the rewards together. Let’s put aside our differences and build a bright future. Let us work on nation-building,” Santokhi said in his New Year’s message.

He said in 2024, his administration is committed to further strengthening the country’s economic development, focusing on essential matters, such as housing projects, and more effectively implementing social programs to protect the most vulnerable in society.

“At the same time, we work hard to increase accessibility to affordable food. We want to strengthen further our rule of law, security, and healthcare. Education remains a priority, and we invest in inclusive education so no child is left behind.

“Our commitment to good infrastructure, including roads, drinking water, and electricity, will be high on the agenda. At this time, when the fruits of our sacrifices are becoming visible, I call for strengthening unity and cooperation. These results did not come naturally; hard work has been done, with discipline and direct leadership.”

But Santokhi said it is now time for every Surinamese to feel the relief and participate in the positive developments, saying, “Together we can proudly say that we have shaped and developed our beautiful country together.

“The principle of “Nobody shall be left behind!” will be visible in social and financial inclusion policies. Our resilience and inner strength show themselves, and we climb out of the deep valley against the oppression.”

Santokhi said that in 2023, the country will be able to “almost wholly rearrange our debt burden, giving us more financial breathing space.

“Internationally, Suriname is once again a recognized and reliable discussion partner. Investors are showing interest again, and our oil and gas sector is undergoing a turnaround that will generate significant revenues.

“In this new year, positive developments will continue in our local economy, which will positively impact the cost of our living. These successes are, above all, your success, and we must cherish them and guard them against hostile forces. Let us act together against intimidation, violence, and negative influences in society and on social media.

“This new year, we will take strong action to ensure security and counter ethnic tensions. Our multicultural society requires unity, cooperation, understanding, respect, and rejection of ethnic politics. The new electoral law gives our democracy more substance and strength, and we will deal with ethnic politics together.”

President Santokhi urged nationals to “not close our eyes to the challenges that lie ahead,” calling for everyone to “work together, embrace positive changes, and make Suriname the country we strive for together, a country of beauty, unity, and prosperity.”