Romano Meriba has ended his membership of the Nationale Democratische Partij (NDP). In a letter dated Wednesday, 23 September 2026, to party chair Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, he states that this is a considered and personal decision. Meriba was active within the party for approximately six years, counting from 2020, the year he himself cites as the start of his active commitment to the NDP.
Meriba writes that his departure does not stem from dissatisfaction, animosity or a personal conflict with Geerlings-Simons or the NDP leadership. On the contrary, he expresses appreciation for the party chair and for the experiences he gained within the party.
“Ending my membership does not mean that my involvement with the Surinamese people ends,” Meriba writes. He says he wishes to continue contributing in his own way to a just, strong and progressive Suriname. He also asks that his decision be respected and that his departure be concluded in a dignified manner.
Connected to the NDP for approximately six years
In his letter, Meriba states that he committed himself to the NDP with full conviction in 2020. He does not mention an exact date on which he formally became a member.
In recent years, Meriba was active, among other roles, as NDP coordinator in Pontbuiten. In 2024, he was mentioned in that capacity in connection with the further organisation of the party in the ressort. The NDP had opened an information centre there and was working to strengthen party structures.
After the 2025 elections, Meriba remained active within the party. In July 2025, he said that he received political training within the NDP and was prepared to take responsibility if the party called on him.
Who is Romano Meriba?
Romano Meriba is the foster son of the late former president and former NDP chair Desi Bouterse. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration and subsequently continued his studies at master’s level. In recent years, Meriba has publicly drawn attention to rehabilitation and opportunities for former detainees.
His own past regularly played a role in public discussion. In 2005, Meriba was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for, among other things, robbery and manslaughter. In 2011, then-president Bouterse granted him a pardon. In 2017, Meriba was convicted again, this time sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery in 2015.
In later years, Meriba indicated that he had distanced himself from his former lifestyle and wanted to use his experiences to support young people and former detainees.
No place on candidate list in 2025
Around the elections of 25 May 2025, discussion arose within and around the NDP regarding Meriba’s position. Although he was politically active and enjoyed support from Pontbuiten, his name ultimately did not appear on the NDP’s national candidate list for De Nationale Assemblee (Suriname’s parliament).
His absence from the list led to dissatisfaction among part of his support base in Pontbuiten. NDP spokesperson Ricardo Panka stated at the time that any uncertainties were discussed internally and that the party saw no indication of open disagreement.
During the official presentation of the candidate list, the NDP leadership was also asked why Meriba, like Stephano ‘Pakittow’ Biervliet, had not been nominated. Party chair Geerlings-Simons did not wish to comment substantively, stating that the NDP does not discuss its members publicly. The party had received 86 nominations for only 51 places on the DNA list.
de Ware Tijd reported at the time, based on its own information, that there was resistance both within and outside the NDP to a possible candidacy of Meriba and Biervliet. The party’s new integrity code was also said to have played a role in the discussion. However, the NDP leadership never confirmed this itself as the official reason for not nominating Meriba.
Starnieuws also reported that Meriba’s supporters had insisted that he be placed on the candidate list. Ultimately, his name was absent from the final list.
Departure more than a year after elections
Despite the issue surrounding his candidacy, Meriba did not leave the NDP immediately after the elections. He continued to profile himself politically and socially and still spoke about his development within the party several months after the elections.
His letter of 23 September 2026 now formally brings this to an end. Meriba does not make any concrete statements in his letter about his further political future. He merely emphasises that his involvement with Suriname and society remains.
