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Demining in Suriname
| Since 1992, when a peace agreement was reached in Suriname, the OAS has been instrumental in demining activities throughout the country. The efforts of the Surinamese National Army as well as those of other governments have aided the country in clearing mine-affected areas and allowing civilians to return to their homes. |
by A. Edgardo C. Reis, Chief Coordinator, OAS Special Mission to Suriname
Background
After achieving independence in 1975, the Republic of Suriname experienced periods of intense political and economic instability. In 1986, a guerrilla war broke out in the eastern region of the country and for the next six years, the Surinamese armed forces were involved in a bloody conflict with five illegally-armed groups.
A Long-Awaited Peace
 |
With the
assistance of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Republic of
Suriname and the illegally-armed groups signed a peace accord in August
1992. As soon as the demobilization process was completed, the OAS,
through a Special Mission to Suriname (SMS), helped the Surinamese
National Army
destroy the weapons handed over to the Mission and conduct
demining activities in four zones of the country: two along the coast (Albina
and the area around the main road across the Commewijne River) and two in
the interior (Stoelmanseiland and Carolina bridge).
Making Strides in Demining
 |
| Deminers working in Suriname. c/o OAS |
The demining operations were an international effort supported by the governments of Guyana and Brazil, which donated the demining equipment, and with the financial support of Holland. The mine-clearing activities were conducted by members of the Surinamese Army, technically supported by members of the Brazilian military and supervised and assisted by OAS. The operations concentrated mostly in combing the mined areas in search of booby-traps and anti-personnel landmines. Hundreds of weapons, booby traps and mines were destroyed, allowing former inhabitants of the areas, who were refugees in neighboring French Guyana, to return to their homes during the following years.
Contact Information
A. Edgardo
C. Reis
Unit for the Promotion of Democracy
Organization of American States (OAS)
1889 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
E-mail: ereis@oas.org