Suriname - Ministerie van Defensie - History
Even with the establishment of the first plantations in Suriname, it became clear that the young colony had to protect themselves. Not only against external attacks but also against internal attacks. Many colonization efforts as a result failed. First the Indians opposed the colonies, and later there formed the runaway slaves, maroons, a resistance movement which to be reckoned with.
The first real fort came in 1640 at the Suriname River where now stands the Fort Zeelandia. This was manned by a civilian militia. Because this was ineffective were to hire the various governors forced trained soldiers. But this did not meet expectations. It was not cheap to to protect the plantations in Suriname from attacks from Indians and hostile Europeans. Therefore the Zealanders sold the colony to the Dutch trade company West Indische Companie and the family Van Sommelsdijck in 1683. The head of the family, Cornelis van Aerssen heer van Sommelsdijck, became governor of Suriname. When governor Sommelsdijck arrived in Suriname, he found a garrison of undisciplined and often drunk soldiers without ammunition or ordnance. Sommelsdijck improved the security of the plantations. He was killed in a mutiny in 1688.
After several attacks from outside by the French admiral Cassard, who greatly damaged the colony after his second raid, it was finally decided to build Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. This was long worked on for thirteen years. The aim was to defend the colony against foreign enemies.
Against domestic opposition, the mercenaries were not effective. Therefore in 1770, the "Corps free blacks and mulattos" founded by introducing conscription among the colored free population. This unpopular corps was replaced by the "Korps zwarte jagers" [literally "black hunters Corps"], which was founded in 1772. This consisted of the colony's slaves who had gained their freedom with their service. The hunter initially wore a green hat, which was replaced with a red (a symbol of freedom), then only green caps had fallen into the hands of the Maroons. Popularly these hunters were from then called "redi musu".
The liberation of the slaves in 1863 led to a re-organization of the militia, which had primarily been involved in the delivery of slaves. A militia was organized based on free citizens, but the militia was not popular and has also never reached the old level.
The defense of the last hundred years - with the exception of the Second World War - was actually only in the hands of a regular army, which was funded by the Netherlands; First belonged to the West Indian Colonial Troops, later the Royal Dutch East Indies Army and from 1951 to the Army. Due to the status of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Suriname became independent in 1954. However, with particular reference to the defense of the country would remain a matter koninrijks. These Troops power in Suriname (TRIS - Troepenmacht in Suriname) had as main task to protect the economic interests of the Netherlands. After conscription was adopted in the Surinamese parliament, Surinamese young men were put under arms in 1971.
On November 25, 1975 TRIS transitioned into the Suriname Armed Forces (SKM - Surinaamse Krijgsmacht). Given the short preparation period, for practical reasons it was decided to follow the model of the TRIS substantially. The tasks of the army were not changed.
SKM was officially established by law at independence in 1975. The establishment of the SKM stemmed from what was in the Constitution of the Republic of Suriname in 1975, namely that the defense policy is pursued by the government. Until independence was a matter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Armed Forces had the following tasks:
- Maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Suriname
- Assisting the police
- Aiding disaster prevention and combat of the consequences
- Preparation and execution of projects related to the socioeconomic development of Suriname
- Provide training related to the technical management training serving the socio-economic development
The Armed Forces carried out these tasks under the responsibility of the competent authority and in accordance with the law. There was no Ministry of Defense. There was a so-called clearinghouse 'Defense Matters. The service, which existed before independence, remained.
Since the transition to the SKM there were some problems. Thus SKM began with insufficient qualified staff and already outdated, acquired from the TRIS, material. It was no longer possible to rely on an established, larger military organization. This could not be a solution to all problems.
The absence of a contribution to the most pressing facilities has led to frustration and led to actions of the NCOs in January 1979 and a coup on 25 February 1980. In 1980, a group of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) led by Desi Bouterse overthrew the elected government despite intense resistance from a badly outgunned police force, which was only subdued when the navy shelled them into submission.
In order to better represent the national character of the army the Surinamese army was turned into the National army. However, this was not formalized into law. No new jobs were enacted. The military came under the Department of Army and Police (since 1982).
During the military dictatorship, Suriname had also flirted with a Cuban style-socialism. In 1987 a new constitution was adopted, which among other things stated that the National Army was the military vanguard of the people and had the task of defending the sovereignty and independence, as well as protecting the highest rights and freedoms of country and people. In July 1988 the Ministry of Defense was set to care for the armed forces.
Between 1986 and 1991, a bloody civil war resulted from a rebellion by a group of Maroons led by former Bouterse bodyguard Ronnie Brunswijk. The army grew to about 3,000 men and their position was bolstered by the induction of armored vehicles and aircraft. In 1992 a constitutional amendment with the National Army was given the following tasks: defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Suriname against foreign armed military aggression; and other specific duties, which should be regulated by law.
The army carries out its duties in responsibility and in subordination to the competent authority and in accordance with applicable law. The establishment of the National Army and the status of the military were to be regulated by law. The service was suspended in this constitution.
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