Johan Kraag Explained

Johan Kraag
Office:5th President of Suriname
Vicepresident:Jules Wijdenbosch
Term Start:29 December 1990
Term End:16 September 1991
Predecessor:Ramsewak Shankar
Successor:Ronald Venetiaan
Office1:3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Suriname
Primeminister1:Johan Adolf Pengel
Term Start1:15 February 1964
Term End1:5 March 1969
Predecessor1:Sewraam Rambaran Mishre
Successor1:Harry Radhakishun
Primeminister2:Johan Adolf Pengel
Term Start2:30 June 1963
Term End2:5 March 1969
Birth Date:29 July 1913
Birth Place:Hamilton, Coronie, Suriname
Birthname:Johannes Samuel Petrus Kraag
Nationality:Surinamese
Party:NPS

Johannes Samuel Petrus "Johan" Kraag (29 July 1913 – 24 May 1996) was a Surinamese politician who served as the President of Suriname from 29 December 1990, until 16 September 1991.[1] [2]

Political career

Kraag was a member of the National Party of Suriname. He served as the Chairman of the Estates of Suriname from 1958 to 1963.[3] In 1963, Kraag joined the Pengel cabinet as Minister of Social Affairs. He was subsequently named Deputy Prime Minister of Suriname as well. He retired from politics after the 1969 Surinamese general election, although he was still widely respected. The Surinamese daily suggested Kraag as a candidate for ambassador to the Netherlands in 1974; [4] in 1979, the newspaper Nieuwe Leidsche Courant considered him as a potential successor to President Johan Ferrier. [5]

Honorary Chairman

After democracy was restored in 1987, Kraag accepted the title of "Honorary Chairman" of the NPS. However, he joined the party's moderate wing, which protested against leader Henck Arron's tight control on internal party decisions.[6]

On 22 December 1990, Bouterse resigned from the Army after a disagreement with President Ramsewak Shankar. On 24 December a military coup known as the "telephone coup" ousted President Shankar, and Ivan Graanoogst was appointed as Acting President.

President of Suriname

On 29 December, Kraag was chosen by the National Assembly as President of Suriname. Jules Wijdenbosch, a follower of Bouterse, was appointed Vice President.[7] On 30 December, Kraag approved the Army's request to reinstate Bouterse as Commander of the Army, and Bouterse officially returned on 1 January 1991.[8] On 16 September 1991, Kraag was succeeded by Ronald Venetiaan.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Timeline: Suriname. BBC News. 14 July 2012.
  2. Web site: Kabinet van de President - Historie. Republiek Suriname - Overheid . 2018-05-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104730/http://www.gov.sr/kabinet-van-de-president/over-het-kabinet/historie.aspx . 2018-05-21 . dead . nl.
  3. Web site: Lijst van Oud-Voorzitters. De Nationale Assemblée van de Republiek Suriname. https://web.archive.org/web/20130714135843/http://www.dna.sr/achtergrond/lijst-van-oud-voorzitters . 2013-07-14 . dead . nl.
  4. News: Kemble trekt ach nu terug. Leidsch Dagblad. 12 March 1974. nl.
  5. News: President Ferrier wil aftreden; Medewerker Arron in gevangenis. Nieuwe Leidsche Courant. 20 April 1979. nl.
  6. News: jaar nog recht van lijf en leden. Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron. 16 January 1991. 20 June 2020. nl.
  7. News: Nieuwe President vraagt Bouterse terug. Leidse Courant. 31 December 1990. 20 June 2020. nl.
  8. Web site: Bouterse weer terug ak bevelhebber leger. Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron. 20 June 2020. 2 January 1991. nl.
  9. News: Ronald Venetiaan: 'Ik treed terug om politieke redenen'. Dagblad Suriname. nl. 20 June 2020. 16 October 2013.