1. Ronnie Brunswijk sought to gain recognition and rights for the Maroon minority of the interior, descendants of runaway African slaves who had established independent communities in the 17th and 18th centuries.
23 Facts About Ronnie Brunswijk
1. 2.
Ronnie Brunswijk remained active in politics, serving as chair of the General Liberation and Development Party, and as a representative in the National Assembly.
3.
On 29 June 2020, Ronnie Brunswijk became Chairperson of the National Assembly of Suriname.
4.
Ronnie Brunswijk joined the Suriname National Army at the age of 18.
5.
Ronnie Brunswijk was considered a good soldier, and was sent to Cuba for commando training.
6.
In 1984, Ronnie Brunswijk asked for a raise, but was discharged instead on 16 April, and refused back pay by Major Paul Bhagwandas.
7.
In 1986, Ronnie Brunswijk was sentenced in absentia for a bank robbery in Moengo on 26 April.
8.
The government and Ronnie Brunswijk negotiated a ceasefire on 21 July 1989 in Kourou that included conversion of the Jungle Commando to a regular part of the Surinamese Army, with responsibility for patrolling their traditional interior territory.
9.
Ronnie Brunswijk was convicted in absentia in the Netherlands to eight years imprisonment for cocaine smuggling by a Dutch court in Haarlem despite numerous witnesses contesting the claims.
10.
Ronnie Brunswijk is chairman of the Surinamese political party General Liberation and Development Party.
11.
Ronnie Brunswijk was owner of Robruns NV, a gold mining company.
12.
In July 2020, Ronnie Brunswijk transferred ownership of the gold concessions to a foundation in order to qualify for the Vice Presidency.
13.
Ronnie Brunswijk was elected to the National Assembly in the 2020 elections.
14.
Ronnie Brunswijk was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly of Suriname on 29 June 2020, in an uncontested election.
15.
Ronnie Brunswijk was the shortest serving chairman in the history of Suriname.
16.
Ronnie Brunswijk had been tested, because Paul Somohardjo with whom he had lengthy meetings about the new government tested positive.
17.
Ronnie Brunswijk is a player and owner of Marowijne football club Inter Moengotapoe.
18.
In June 2012, Ronnie Brunswijk was suspended for one year because he behaved violently towards the referee and a player in football match.
19.
Ronnie Brunswijk made history by becoming the oldest player to play in an international club competition, at 60 years and 198 days old.
20.
Ronnie Brunswijk donned the number 61 jersey as a tribute to the year he was born and captained the team during the match.
21.
Ronnie Brunswijk played together with his son Damian Brunswijk in the first half of the game.
22.
Three days later, the federation announced the investigation had found "serious breaches of integrity rules", with both clubs being disqualified from the tournament and Ronnie Brunswijk being banned from "participating in any capacity in CONCACAF competitions" for three years as a result.
23.
Steven Ronnie Brunswijk, a Dutch comedian and television personality, is a cousin.