Ramsewak Shankar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramsewak Shankar
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| रामसेवक शंकर | |
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| 4th President of Suriname | |
| In office 25 January 1988 – 24 December 1990 |
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| Vice President | Henck Arron |
| Preceded by | L.F. Ramdat Misier |
| Succeeded by | Johan Kraag |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 November 1937 Nieuw Amsterdam, Suriname |
| Political party | VHP |
Ramsewak Shankar was the fourth President of Suriname. He was born on November 6, 1937. He served as president from 1988 to 1990. His government was removed from power by a military coup led by Dési Bouterse. This change happened without violence. Before becoming president, Shankar was the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from 1969 to 1971.
Shankar is from the large South Asian community in Suriname. He studied at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. After returning to Suriname, he joined the Progressive Reform Party. He supported Suriname becoming an independent country in 1975.
Becoming President
Shankar became president after a special election. This election was held by the National Assembly in November 1987. The military leaders at the time had helped create a new constitution. This new rule allowed the coup leader, Dési Bouterse, to stay in charge of the army.
Ramsewak Shankar had been a minister before. He took over from Ramdat Misier as president. At first, the National Assembly fully supported Shankar's government.
Peace Efforts and Challenges
In 1989, an important agreement was signed. It was called the Treaty of Kourou. This treaty was a ceasefire between the Jungle Commando and the Surinamese army. Shankar agreed to forgive the Maroon people. They had been fighting a civil war against the military. They wanted to protect their way of life in the rain forest.
Shankar even talked about letting them keep their weapons. In April 1989, a general pardon was given. This pardon was for violence during the civil war. However, it did not cover serious human rights issues. These issues were mostly linked to the National Army.
Dési Bouterse and his National Democratic Party did not like this agreement. They said it went against the country's constitution. But the National Assembly still approved the Kourou Agreement. They voted for it with a large majority.
The "Telephone Coup"
In December 1990, both Bouterse and Shankar were on an international trip. They stopped at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Bouterse was not allowed to leave the airport's security area. But Shankar could pass through. He even spoke to many reporters there.
On December 21, Bouterse criticized Shankar when they returned to Suriname. He was upset that Shankar had not protested the airport incident. The next day, Bouterse resigned from the Army.
On December 24, a military coup happened. It was known as the "telephone coup." This coup removed President Shankar from power. Ivan Graanoogst was then made the Acting President. On December 29, the National Assembly chose Johan Kraag as the new President of Suriname. On December 30, Kraag asked Bouterse to come back. Bouterse became the Commander of the Army again on January 1, 1991.
See also
In Spanish: Ramsewak Shankar para niños
