Paramaribo, Suriname — In a historic and jubilant ceremony marked by national pride and pageantry, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was officially sworn in as the first female President of the Republic of Suriname, becoming the country’s tenth head of state. The transition of power took place at a special session of the National Assembly, held at the Anthony Nesty Indoor Stadium in Paramaribo.
The outgoing President, Chan Santokhi, formally handed over the presidential sash to Simons, sealing the peaceful transfer of power before an exuberant crowd. As the patriotic anthem “Wan Dey, Wan Dey Sa Doro” filled the stadium, Simons took her seat in the presidential chair, visibly moved and greeted by thunderous applause.
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“I declare and promise this,” she affirmed solemnly, raising her right hand. “So help me God Almighty.”
The oath was administered moments after Simons was ceremoniously led into the hall, her arrival accompanied by a standing ovation and live musical accompaniment. Her radiant smile and confident stride were a reflection of both the gravity of the moment and the hope it symbolizes for the Surinamese people.
Following the administration of the oath, Simons and Santokhi both signed the official proclamation of transfer, marking the constitutional handover. Speaker of the National Assembly Ashwin Adhin then formally declared Simons the President of the Republic of Suriname.
The ceremony also saw the swearing-in of Vice President-elect Gregory Rusland, who took the oath with the words, “I declare and affirm this,” succeeding outgoing Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk. The proclamation of transfer was signed by both men, after which Rusland officially assumed the role of vice president. He received warm congratulations and applause as he took his place beside the outgoing president.
Simons and Rusland were elected unopposed on July 6 following a single nomination, signaling widespread consensus within the National Assembly and marking a new chapter in Surinamese political leadership.
As the first woman to ascend to the presidency, President Simons’ inauguration represents a watershed moment in the nation’s history. A longtime politician and former Speaker of the National Assembly, she brings decades of experience and is widely respected for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to democratic governance.
The day’s events were not only a constitutional milestone but a celebration of gender progress and national unity, with thousands witnessing the moment that redefined the political landscape of Suriname.
