Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen

Former Chief of Defense Suriname/ Oud-bevelhebber Nationaal Leger

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

As of 24 April 2026, I no longer hold the position of Chief of Defense. I look back with great appreciation on the period of four years during which I had the honor of carrying this responsibility, and I am grateful for serving with my Armed Forces and all Parner Nations.

[Forces armées en Guyane @FAG_Officiel]

Les FAG ont accueilli à Cayenne le général de brigade Werner KIOE A SEN, chef d’état-major des armées du Suriname, accompagné du colonel Mitchell LABADIE. Cette visite illustre la solidité du partenariat entre la 🇫🇷 et le 🇸🇷, fondé sur des entraînements conjoints et un engagement commun dans la lutte contre les trafics illégaux.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On March 8, we celebrated International Women's Day. From leadership roles to specialists, women, alongside their male colleagues, play a vital role in the Armed Forces. On March 6, thirty-two women from all branches participated in an intensive field exercise at the Ayoko Base. The hot sand and weather, as well as the physically stressful activities, did not deter them from reaching the end. This event demonstrated their resilience, force, and discipline, which all symbolize their commitment and ownership in being part of the Armed Forces. Well done, ladies!

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On February 10 and 11, I attended the first Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference 2026 in Washington, D.C., USA. The host of the conference, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General John Daniel Caine initiated this dialogue on security challenges and opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation. Thirty-four national defence chiefs from across the Western Hemisphere were present.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On  Friday, February 13, I met with General José Ricardo Vendramin Nunes of the Brazilian Northern Territorial Command, who visited Suriname from February 12 to 14. His visit focused on strengthening and consolidating bilateral cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on military cooperation and regional security.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On January 20 and 21, our annual Internal Planning Conference, the IPC 2026, took place. The goal was to synchronize operational plans with the guidelines and policies from the political strategic level and to integrate all plans at the operational level.
The IPC 2026 was the third edition since it was implemented in January 2023. Through presentations and discussions, all the Armed Forces’ staff were informed about the whereabouts and challenges of each branch, and this led to broader and mutual understanding. The IPC 2026 was concluded on January 22, with a sports event in the Membre Boekoe Kazerne. The sports activity contributed to team building, camaraderie, and relaxation after the intensive conference days and underlined the importance of cooperation within the Armed Forces

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

Territorial Command Region West has new commander

Captain Robert Cullimore assumed command from Captain Silvano Blokland. The handover ceremony took place on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Prof. Dr. Ali Kazerne, in Nieuw Nickerie. During this ceremony I expressed my gratitude to Captain Blokland for his dedication and support during the past two year and I wished the new commander, Captain Cullimore, much success in his new role.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On December 30, we had our year-end celebration at the Headquarters of the Suriname Armed Forces. We reviewed the past year and thanked all men and women of the armed forces, their families, and all our partners for their efforts to guarantee our nation’s security. With more than thirty operations in all domains and continued training, we are dedicated to our nation, and we shall remain dedicated in the new year.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On December 26, during the second day of Christmas, I visited our troops at the Afobaka base and at the SGT1 Blanca Base in Brownsweg. The troops of the southern Taskforce of Operation Marbonsu are also stationed at the Blanca Base. I thanked all troops for their dedication and commitment to the nation. Both bases in the Brokopondo district are essential for the government's presence in the interior of the country.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On December 23, we held a Christmas celebration at the Headquarters of the Suriname Armed Forces. At this time of year, many Christians celebrate Christmas, also in our interreligious Surinamese society. We came together to fraternize, and we expressed our friendship and mutual respect in a period where empowerment is much needed.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

On December 18, Operation Marbonsu (Amazonian Wasp) 2025 was initiated. This operation is an annual operation carried out by the Suriname Armed Forces in collaboration with the Police Force and other security entities in December. During the Christmas and Year-end celebrations, crime rates increase. In particular, miners and transportation from gold mines are targeted. Since 2021, our presence with Operation Marbonsu demonstrated its value. This year, our troops will again conduct this operation to ensure national security and visibility of the armed forces in the districts of Marowijne, Para, Brokopondo, and Sipaliwini.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

The Suriname Armed Forces Organize Table Top Exercise (TTX)
The Suriname Armed Forces organize a Table Top Exercise (TTX) on December 16th and 17th in preparation for an operation. The goal of this exercise was to test decision-making, procedures, coordination, and interoperability without physically deploying troops.
A TTX, according to NATO standards, is a structured, scenario-driven exercise in which staff members, planners, and commanders respond—physically or digitally—to incidents, disasters, dilemmas, and operational challenges.
Fifteen officers from the S-staffs of the various branches of the armed forces participated in the exercise. At the end of the training, they received a certificate of participation. The TTX was organized by G3 of the armed forces.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

From December 8 to 12, I visited the troops of our northwestern region. I witnessed how they put in all efforts to ensure the border is secured and that society can count on the Armed Forces in times of crisis. Part of my visit included meetings with local authorities and indigenous leaders. I gained more respect for these men who endure hardships on the Coranteyn River and the surrounding environment.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

Introductory Visit of New Brazilian Defense Attaché

On Tuesday, December 2, I received an introductory visit from the new Brazilian Defense Attaché, Colonel João Carlos da Silva Néto Júnior, who succeeds the soon-to-depart Brazilian Defense Attaché, Colonel Felipe Guimarães Rodrigues.

The official handover of the Defense Attaché position will take place on December 12, 2025. Colonel Da Silva Néto Júnior will serve as the Brazilian Defense Attaché in Suriname for the next two years. During the visit, constructive discussions were held regarding the continuation and further strengthening of the existing cooperation between the two armed forces.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

Crew of Tug Martijn Eva Rescued After Incident.

The three crew members of the tug Martijn Eva were successfully rescued in the early morning hours of December 3, 2025, after their vessel became entangled in a fishing net along the coast towards Saramacca and took on water. The rescue operation was carried out around 3:15 a.m. by the RSS Barracuda. ​​The S.O.S. call came in the evening of December 2, and the operation was immediately launched in close coordination with the Coast Guard. All three men were in stable condition upon rescue. The engineer suffered a fractured arm during the incident and received immediate medical attention. The coordinates of the stranded Martijn Eva have already been transferred to the MAS (Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname), allowing for further recovery operations to be prepared.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

Major General Géraud Laborie, the Commander of the French Armed Forces in French Guyana, and I met on Monday, November 24, 2025. His visit took place as part of Suriname's Independence Day celebrations on November 25 and as a prelude to the Regional Military Engagement Meeting (RREM).

During the meeting, the close cooperation between Suriname and French Guiana, the shared security challenges within the Guiana Plateau, and the intentions to further strengthen military cooperation were highlighted. The visit underscored mutual respect, a long-standing partnership, and the willingness to continue working closely together in the coming years to ensure stability and security in the region.

[Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen @WKioeASen]

South Dakota's Senior Enlisted Leaders (SELs) met with their Surinamese counterparts on Monday, November 24, 2025. This meeting was a valuable and constructive exchange; they discussed joint training programs, preparations for Tradewinds '27, the position and role of women in the military, and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two states.

This meeting marks one of the first steps in increasing the role and visibility of SELs within our organization. Sergeant Major Amstelveen led the conversation on our side, while Sergeant Major Stacey led the conversation on the American side. The openness, professionalism, and shared ambition made this session a key moment in the further development of our partnership.