France, Dec. 5 -- The announcement came during this week's three-day visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who arrived in Paramaribo on Sunday. The trip marks 50 years since Suriname gained independence in November 1975.

During a ceremony that same day, community leaders formally accepted the Dutch apology for slavery. The apology was first delivered by the Dutch government in 2022 and repeated by the king in 2023.

"We accept the apology and the request for forgiveness in the full conviction that the king, with a clear conscience, wishes to cooperate in healing and restoration," said Wilgo Ommen, a representative of indigenous communities.

Benin to give nationality to descendants of those deported as slaves

It is the first ...