Chan Santokhi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chan Santokhi
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| चान संतोखी | |
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Official portrait, 2020
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| 10th President of Suriname | |
| In office 16 July 2020 – 16 July 2025 |
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| Vice President | Ronnie Brunswijk |
| Preceded by | Dési Bouterse |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Geerlings-Simons |
| Leader of the Progressive Reform Party | |
| Assumed office 3 July 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Ramdien Sardjoe |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 12 August 2010 – 16 July 2020 |
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| Constituency | Wanica District |
| Minister of Justice and Police | |
| In office 1 September 2005 – 13 August 2010 |
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| President | Ronald Venetiaan |
| Preceded by | Siegfried Gilds |
| Succeeded by | Lamuré Latour (ad interim) Martin Misiedjan |
| Chairman of the Caribbean Community | |
| In office 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2022 |
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| Secretary-General | Carla Barnett |
| Preceded by | Johnny Briceño |
| Succeeded by | Philip Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Chandrikapersad Santokhi
3 February 1959 Lelydorp, Suriname District, Suriname (present-day Wanica District, Suriname) |
| Political party | Progressive Reform Party |
| Spouses |
Sharda Ramkisoen
(divorced)Mellisa Seenacherry
(m. 2020) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Nederlandse Politieacademie, Apeldoorn (BS) |
| Awards | Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (2010) Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2023) |
| Nickname | Sheriff |
Chandrikapersad "Chan" Santokhi (born 3 February 1959) is a politician from Suriname and a former police officer. He served as the tenth president of Suriname from 2020 to 2025.
In 2020, his political party won the election. Santokhi was the only person nominated for president. On July 13, 2020, he was officially elected president. His inauguration ceremony took place three days later, on July 16.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Chan Santokhi was born on February 3, 1959. His family was Indo-Surinamese and practiced the Hindu religion. He was born in Lelydorp, which is in the Wanica District of Suriname.
He grew up in the countryside and was the youngest of nine children. His father had a job at the port in Paramaribo, the capital city. His mother was a shop assistant in Lelydorp.
Career Path
From Police Officer to Police Chief
After finishing high school in Paramaribo, Santokhi earned a scholarship. This allowed him to study in the Netherlands. From 1978 to 1982, he attended the Police Academy of the Netherlands.
He returned to Suriname in 1982 to begin his career with the police. At just 23 years old, he started as a police inspector. By 1989, he was promoted to head of the national criminal investigation department. In 1991, he became the commissioner of police, which is a very high rank.
Minister of Justice and Police
In September 2005, Santokhi became the Minister of Justice and Police. He represented the Progressive Reform Party. During his time as minister, he was known for being very tough on crime. He worked hard to enforce the law, which earned him the nickname "Sheriff."
The December Murders Trial
As police commissioner, Santokhi led the investigation into a major historical event known as the December murders. His work was very important in allowing the trial for this case to finally begin. He even had a special high-security courtroom built for the trial.
His strong focus on the case brought him into conflict with the main suspect, Dési Bouterse. In 2007, Bouterse made public statements against Santokhi. Later, in 2019, a court found Bouterse guilty in the December murders case.
In 2008, Santokhi took Bouterse to court for making false statements about him. The court agreed that Bouterse's claims were untrue. It ordered Bouterse to publish a correction and admit that what he said was false.
Running for President in 2010
In the 2010 Surinamese general election, Santokhi won many votes, second only to Dési Bouterse. His political group, the New Front for Democracy and Development, chose him as their candidate for president.
However, Bouterse's political group had more seats in the National Assembly, which is Suriname's parliament. Because of this, Bouterse was elected president in 2010.
Leadership Roles
Leader of the Progressive Reform Party
On July 3, 2011, Santokhi was elected chairman of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP). The VHP was once a party mainly for Indo-Surinamese people. Under Santokhi's leadership, it grew into a party that welcomed people from all ethnic backgrounds. It became the second-largest political party in Suriname.
President of Suriname
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On May 26, 2020, the results of the general election showed that Santokhi's party, the VHP, had won the most votes. This made him the most likely person to become the next president. On July 13, he was elected president without any opposition.
He was sworn into office on July 16, 2020. The ceremony was held outdoors in Paramaribo without a large crowd because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his oath, he recited Hindu prayers in the ancient Sanskrit language. Christian religious leaders also gave their blessings.
In September 2021, Santokhi visited the Netherlands. He was the first Surinamese president to visit in over a decade. This visit helped improve the relationship between the two countries. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, called the meeting "historic."
Personal Life
On July 19, 2020, Chan Santokhi married his long-time partner, Mellisa Seenacherry. Mellisa is a lawyer. Santokhi also has two grown children, a son and a daughter, from a previous marriage.
Awards and Honours
National Honours
Grand Master of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star
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Foreign Honours
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (an award from India for people of Indian origin living abroad)
See also
In Spanish: Chan Santokhi para niños
