Henck Arron

Henck Arron
Born	(1936-04-25) April 25, 1936 Paramaribo, Suriname
Died	December 4, 2000(2000-12-04) (aged 64)
Occupation(s)	Politician, Banker
Years active	1961–1990
Known for	First Prime Minister of Suriname (1973–1980), Vice President of Suriname (1988–1990)

Henck Alphonsus Eugène Arron (25 April 1936 – 4 December 2000) was a prominent Surinamese statesman who became the inaugural Prime Minister of Suriname following the nation's independence in 1975. Representing the National Party of Suriname, he governed from 24 December 1973 through the transitional period until his removal on 25 February 1980 during a military takeover orchestrated by Dési Bouterse. After being freed in 1981 when corruption accusations were dismissed, Arron resumed his career in banking. He later served as Vice President of Suriname from 1987 until his term was cut short by another military coup.

Biography

Arron was born in Paramaribo in 1936. Upon finishing secondary education in 1956, he pursued banking studies in the Netherlands. He initially worked at the Amsterdamsche Bank before returning to Suriname, where he held roles at Vervuurts Bank (currently Hakrinbank) and, by 1963, advanced to deputy director of the Volkskredietbank (People's Credit Union).

He became a member of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) in 1961 and rose to party chairman by 1970. In 1973, Arron forged an alliance with the pro-independence PNR, securing victory in that year’s elections. He assumed office as prime minister on 24 December 1973 and steered the concluding negotiations for Suriname’s sovereignty. The NPS collaborated with the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA), which advocated for swift independence. In February 1974, Arron declared that Suriname aimed to achieve independence before the close of 1975, despite some resistance within his own party.

Suriname officially became independent on 25 November 1975 amidst social turmoil, economic difficulties, and accusations of corruption. Arron was re-elected during the controversial elections held in 1977. In the early years following independence, roughly one-third of the population emigrated to the Netherlands.

The newly established Suriname National Army experienced internal dissatisfaction due to inadequate salaries and allegations of corruption. Arron declined to acknowledge their efforts to form a union and detained key figures scheduled for trial on 26 February 1980. However, on 25 February, Bouterse-led military forces executed a coup d'état, deposing and incarcerating Arron. He was released under house arrest in 1981 and appointed managing director of the People's Credit Bank in 1982.

Following international diplomatic pressure from entities such as the United Nations, Netherlands, France, and the United States, democratic governance was reinstated in 1987. Arron was elected Vice President and Chairman of the Council of Ministers from January 1988 until December 1990 during President Ramsewak Shankar’s administration. This government was subsequently overthrown by another military coup led by Bouterse.

In December 2000, while visiting the Netherlands to participate in discussions regarding Suriname’s independence anniversary, Arron passed away on 4 December due to cardiac arrest at his brother’s residence.

Honours

• Suriname: Grand Cordon (Grootlint), Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (2000)