(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Dissension in the army has reached a boiling point. Soldiers have requested a meeting with Commander-in-chief Desi Bouterse to voice their grievances, emphasizing that they are not asking to meet the president.
The soldiers complain their grievances are not channeled to the Minister of Defense, so they hope that they might find a solution for the unacceptable situation within the defense organization. Currently tensions are running so high the ‘powder keg’ could explode at any time, because soldiers have no way to let off steam. In separate interviews soldiers complain about officers and even the commander who snarl at them using abusive language for minor offences. Soldiers, some of whom have years of experience, are not motivated to serve at posts in the districts or the hinterland. They complain about the lack of minimal provisions at these posts. In the past years, soldiers have been ordered to perform duties that are not connected to their work, including the so-called Dalian-security, which required soldiers to keep watch at facilities of the Chinese asphalting company Dalian. ‘We are skilled soldiers, not watchmen. Dalian should hire security personnel,’ one soldier fumes. The soldiers think that the Ministry of Defense is paid for the services, but they are not included in the extra pay. They refuse to work for the Chinese because their hygiene is often poor.
One other grievance is that when they are on sick leave, soldiers are not allowed to stay at home. Their superiors often order them to stay in the barracks, arguing that their sick leave is part of their watch.
An officer explains that the order is to protect soldiers against themselves. ‘Many perform odd jobs during their sick leave, while the doctor has prescribed bed rest, so they run the risk of being more unfit for work,’ an officer explains the measure. Soldiers do not like army food because it barely varies.
They want training courses, especially for those that have had higher schooling. Their poor schooling often leaves them without career opportunities.
