Ronnie Brunswijk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Brunswijk
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Brunswijk in 2020
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| 8th Vice President of Suriname | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 16 July 2020 |
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| President | Chan Santokhi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Ashwin Adhin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the National Assembly of Suriname | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 29 June 2020 – 14 July 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Jennifer Simons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Marinus Bee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the National Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 2005 |
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| Constituency | Marowijne District | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the General Liberation and Development Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 11 February 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Party established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 7 March 1961 Moiwana, Suriname |
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| Political party | General Liberation and Development Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Beatrix Esajas
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| Domestic partner | Adolfina 'Fine' Cairo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | Damian, Elton, Pascal, and Yoni | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Clyde and Steven (nephew) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | The National Assembly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ronnie Brunswijk (born 7 March 1961) is a Surinamese politician, businessman, and footballer. He is currently serving as the Vice President of Suriname.
In the early 1980s, Brunswijk worked as a bodyguard for the then-leader, Dési Bouterse. After leaving this role, he formed a group called the Surinamese Liberation Army, also known as the Jungle Commando. Brunswijk wanted to gain more recognition and rights for the Maroon people of the interior. These Maroons are descendants of people who escaped slavery and built their own communities in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Starting in 1986, his group was involved in a conflict with the national military, led by Bouterse. This conflict was called the Surinamese Interior War. It led to many people seeking safety in French Guiana. A peace treaty was signed in 1992, bringing an end to the war.
Brunswijk has remained active in politics. He is the leader of the General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP). He also serves as a representative in the National Assembly. Besides politics, he owns the football club Inter Moengotapoe and has even played for the team himself. In June 2020, Brunswijk became the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Suriname.
On 13 July 2020, Brunswijk was chosen as vice-president. He officially started his role on 16 July.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Ronnie Brunswijk joined the Suriname National Army when he was 18 years old. He was a skilled soldier and received special training in Cuba. After his training, he became a personal bodyguard for Desi Bouterse.
In 1984, Brunswijk asked for a pay raise. However, he was instead discharged from the army on 16 April. He was also denied money he was owed.
The Surinamese Interior War
The Surinamese Interior War began on 22 July 1986. Brunswijk's group, the Jungle Commando, captured 12 soldiers at a checkpoint. In 1986, Brunswijk was accused of a bank robbery. This event earned him the nickname "Robin Hood of Suriname" because he was said to have taken money from government institutions and given it back to the people. During the war, the Jungle Commando received support from the Netherlands.
The Moiwana Attack
On 29 November 1986, the Surinamese army attacked Brunswijk's home village of Moiwana. During this attack, many villagers, mostly women and children, were killed. Brunswijk's house was burned, and the village was destroyed. More than 100 people fled across the border to French Guiana to find safety. Later, a court ordered the government to pay money to the survivors of the attack.
After the War
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The government and Brunswijk agreed to a ceasefire on 21 July 1989. This agreement included plans for the Jungle Commando to become a regular part of the Surinamese Army. They would be responsible for patrolling their traditional lands. The government also promised jobs for Maroons in gold mining and forestry. A final peace treaty was signed on 8 August 1992.
Brunswijk is the leader of the Surinamese political party General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP).
In December 2007, an incident occurred in the Surinamese parliament. Brunswijk and Paul Somohardjo were involved in a physical disagreement with Rashied Doekhi, a member of Desi Bouterse's party. This event was shown live on television.
Brunswijk used to own Robruns NV, a company involved in gold mining. In July 2020, he transferred ownership of his gold mining interests to a foundation. This was done so he could qualify for the Vice Presidency.
2020 Elections and Vice Presidency
Brunswijk was elected to the National Assembly in the 2020 elections. On 29 June 2020, he was elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly of Suriname. Dew Sharman was chosen as Vice Chairman. Brunswijk then decided to run for vice president. On 8 July, he announced that Marinus Bee would take over as Chairman of the National Assembly. Brunswijk served as chairman for the shortest time in Suriname's history.
On 1 July 2020, Brunswijk tested positive for COVID-19. He had been tested because Paul Somohardjo, with whom he had meetings, also tested positive. Brunswijk was released from the hospital on 6 July. To show his thanks to the hospital staff, he gave three cars to nurses who needed transportation.
On 7 July, the political groups nominated Chan Santokhi as President of Suriname and Ronnie Brunswijk as Vice-president. Since no other candidates were nominated, Brunswijk was elected vice president on 13 July. He was officially sworn in as vice president on 16 July in Paramaribo. The ceremony was held without a public audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Football Career
Club Management and Ownership
Brunswijk is both a player and the owner of the football club Inter Moengotapoe. In 2002, he built a football stadium in Moengo and named it the Ronnie Brunswijkstadion. In 2005, he was suspended from football for a period due to an incident during a match. This suspension was later removed because there was not enough proof. In June 2012, Brunswijk was suspended again for one year for his behavior towards a referee and a player during a game.
Playing for Inter Moengotapoe
On 21 September 2021, Brunswijk played for Inter Moengotapoe in an international club competition. He started the game against Honduran team C.D. Olimpia. At 60 years and 198 days old, he became the oldest player to play in such a competition. He wore jersey number 61, which was a nod to his birth year, and was the team captain. His son, Damian Brunswijk, also played in the first half of the game.
Brunswijk's participation in the match made international news. After the game, a video appeared online that showed Brunswijk giving money to the Olimpia players. This led to questions about whether the game's outcome might have been improperly influenced. On 22 September 2021, CONCACAF, the football organization, started an investigation. A few days later, they announced that serious rules had been broken. Both clubs were removed from the tournament, and Brunswijk was banned from participating in CONCACAF competitions for three years.
Personal Life
Brunswijk's nephew, Clyde Brunswijk, is a professional kickboxer. Steven Brunswijk, a Dutch comedian and TV personality, is his cousin.
See also
In Spanish: Ronnie Brunswijk para niños
