Photo: James Thomas/Flickr

April 23, 2023 | Oscar van Dam

Should Sint Maarten be independent? Parliament is preparing a referendum on this. If residents vote ‘yes’, it could have ‘unforeseen consequences’, says political scientist Wouter Veenendaal.

In early April, the Sint Maarten Parliament appointed four members of Parliament to carry out the preparatory work. They will gather information for a possible referendum on the island’s independence.

Wouter Veenendaal (1986) is a political scientist, teaching in Leiden and studying how politics and democracy function in the small island nation. Together with historian Gert Oostindie, he published the book ‘Ongemak’ last year. About the difficult political relations in the Kingdom over the years.

According to Veenendaal, most of the population is not concerned with the question of whether the island should be independent. Pursuing this is primarily something that a small group of elites think about, he noted.

In Sint Maarten politics, a group of people rejected Dutch involvement, explained Veenendaal. The committee includes MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten, wife of Theo Heyliger who is jailed for corruption. He strongly opposed the greater Dutch influence on the island. According to Veenendaal, he seems to have played a role in Sint Maarten’s politics through his wife.

‘The Netherlands are at the forefront of divesting Sint Maarten’
“The question is whether an independence referendum will actually take place, and whether there will be a majority for it. But it’s like playing with fire. Because if the majority vote is in favor, the Netherlands will be at the forefront in divesting the island,” said Veenendaal.

To be clear: The Netherlands – as a former colonizer – cannot decide for Sint Maarten (or other islands) to become independent. Only the islanders determine their future.

“The setting up of a four-person committee to investigate a possible referendum is not a big step. But it does show that the topic is still on the table. And I think it was also used to fuel anti-Dutch sentiment.”

How likely is it?
Since the 1970s, Dutch politics has aimed for independence from its former colony, says Veenendaal. Suriname itself resigned in 1975. Since then, the possibility of the Caribbean islands also being open to resign.

“Despite all the warm words from politicians visiting the islands, it is still a headache. There is a majority in The Hague who agree immediately if one of the countries of the Caribbean Kingdom indicates in a referendum that it wants independence.” Then, according to Veenendaal, there is no turning back.

What are the chances that Sint Maarten will say goodbye to the Kingdom in the coming years? First the numbers. During the last referendum on constitutional relations, more than 14 percent of Sint Maarteners voted for independence. A much higher number than in Curaçao, for example, where just over 4 percent of the population voted for it in 2005.

And now the practice. Political appointments can still play a major role in the referendum, said Veenendaal. “If the politicians in Sint Maarten decide to hold such a referendum and tell the population their lives will be better with independence, then you don’t know what will happen.”

Brexit
He drew comparisons to Brexit, where the people of Great Britain were promised a brighter future by politicians if they left the European Union. It also happens.

“However, that is not the case in England. It is also questionable whether Sint Maarten will benefit from it being an independent island.”

“Look at the assistance the Netherlands provided after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The aid will disappear when they leave the Kingdom.”

Attack move?
“It is surprising that parliament is working on this on April 4. A joint agreement with the Netherlands was also signed that day. Those are two opposite directions.”

At the same time, he pointed out that Sint Maarten has been working on the subject of decolonization and independence for a long time, more than Curaçao and Aruba. “Ten years ago it was still a topic in Curaçao, thanks in part to the Pueblo Soberano by Helmin Wiels. Nowadays you hardly hear people talk about it.”

Apart from Grisha Heyliger-Marten (independent MP), Ludmila Duncan (also independent), Melissa Gumbs (Party for Progress) and Angelique Romou (National Alliance) are also members of the Sint Maarten committee. The aim is that members will report to parliament on their preparatory work by early May.