First female president in Suriname

PARAMARIBO – In a historic ceremony on Wednesday, Jenny Simons was sworn in as Suriname’s first female president, ushering in a new political era alongside Gregory Rusland, who was inaugurated as vice president. The two leaders take over from the outgoing administration of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, who have governed the CARICOM nation for the past five years.

In her inaugural address, delivered at a packed Anthony Nesty Stadium during a special public session of Parliament, President Simons issued a powerful and unequivocal directive to her new administration: the windfall from Suriname’s emerging oil and gas sector must uplift the entire population — not just a select few.