President Ali signals intensified diplomatic push over Suriname river charges

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said the Government of Guyana is ramping up efforts to address concerns surrounding Suriname’s move to impose charges for the use of the Corentyne River.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), President Ali said the administration has placed “tremendous emphasis” on the issue, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged on it daily.

“Every day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaged on this matter,” President Ali said, adding that in the coming days, the government will intensify its diplomatic efforts.

“In another few days, we will step up our advocacy in getting this matter sorted,” Dr Ali told reporters.

When asked whether there had been any formal response to the diplomatic note sent to Suriname, the President maintained that the matter remains under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is dealing with the diplomatic note,” he said.

The President’s comments come amid growing concerns over the reported decision by Suriname to introduce charges for the use of the Corentyne River. He warned that such a move could have significant implications for economic activity and disrupt longstanding arrangements between the two neighbouring countries.

In a previous statement, President Ali expressed hope that the matter could be resolved swiftly, cautioning that the charges may create unnecessary barriers to trade and erode business confidence.

Following his public remarks, Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Melvin Bouva, engaged Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, signalling ongoing diplomatic discussions between the two sides.

President Ali has also underscored the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations, noting that Surinamese businesses have long operated within Guyana without discrimination or restriction. He stressed that reciprocity remains a key principle in the relationship and urged Suriname to reconsider the reported measures.

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