'group of sixteen') of the Surinamese Armed Forces (SKM) led by Dési Bouterse overthrew the government of Prime Minister Henck Arron with a violent coup d'état.

[4] The hastily created Suriname National Army had many non-commissioned officers who tried to unionize[5] and complained about corruption[3] and poor pay.

[5] On 25 February 1980, the coup soldiers took control of the military camps in Paramaribo and arrested superiors who opposed them.

[8] President Johan Ferrier was eventually forced out of office in August 1980,[9] and several months after the coup d'état by Bouterse, most of the political authority transferred to the military leadership.

Until 1988, the titular presidents were essentially army-installed by Bouterse, who ruled as a de facto leader with few practical checks on his power.

[17] After becoming president of Suriname, Bouterse designated 25 February, the anniversary of the day of the coup d'état, as a national holiday.