Suriname and French Republic take actions to control the border amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maroni basin
A France-Surinamese bilateral meeting was held on April 9 2020, by videoconference on the management of the above-mentioned common border. Both sides referred to the Joint Communique between the Republic of Suriname and the French Republic on COVID-19 measures issued in March 2020. The French and Surinamese authorities underscored that solidarity, dialogue and cooperation are crucial in order to fight together against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The representatives underlined the importance of respect by the populations on both sides and reiterated the call to these populations to strictly apply the instructions of the respective authorities, in particular the closing of the border by the Surinamese authorities on March 14 and the reinforced presence of the Surinamese and French authorities on the river as a means to manage and contain the further spread of COVID-19.
The two parties reaffirm their commitment to better control the common border between
French Guyana and Suriname and their will to take joint measures for the health and safety of the populations of the two States. The French and Surinamese authorities are already ensuring a daily presence on the Maroni River, in order to enforce the closure of the border.
For health reasons, each party organizes its presence with its own means. Each party has designated a contact point to allow real-time cooperation and coordination in Albina and Saint Laurent du Maroni. The control operations of each party will be guided by the following principles: crossing the river is prohibited, in order to prevent persons to cross and to spread or contract the virus on the other bank, the boats leaving the French bank will be returned to the French border post, the boats leaving the Surinamese bank will be returned to the Surinamese border post. Repatriations proposed by one or the other State will be considered through the usual diplomatic channels between the two countries.