Border between French Guiana and Suriname

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname signed on 15 March 2021 a protocol annexed to the Paris Convention of 30 September 1915. This diplomatic agreement puts an end to a more than a century border dispute between France and Suriname over one of our longest land dyads. The final determination of the boundary at local level was a necessary step towards effective cross-border cooperation between the two States. The final route concerns the border section between the mouth of Maroni and the most upstream point of the Lawa River at the village of Anttecume Pata, between French Guiana and the Republic of Suriname. Furthermore, the need to deepen bilateral cooperation prompted both States to add to the 2021 Treaty a joint declaration on the common management of the river and the development of the border area. This joint statement recognises the importance of the Maroni River and the Lawa River as links, identity factors and livelihoods of local populations. Accordingly, the need for States to ensure the safety and protection of riparian communities and the rational and sustainable use of the river and its resources is recalled. For the upstream section of the village of Anttecume Pata on the Litani River, tributary of the Lawa, the two states are planning a final round of negotiations. This is about resolving the ultimate border dispute. The Surinamese people have few arguments to continue to claim, as they have long done, the fixing of the border on the Marouini. Indeed, the Litani undoubtedly has a greater flow and has always been regarded as the extension of the frontier upstream, including by the Dutch. Suriname thus far seems to maintain its position of conciliation vis-à-vis France, especially since it cannot afford to lose French development aid. Thus, the next step to fix the border southwest of Guyana could happen quickly.