In late November 1986, amid the turbulent context of the Suriname Guerrilla War, the Surinamese military launched a military operation against the village of Moiwana. This village was situated in a rural area that had become a focal point of conflict, characterized by increasing tensions between government forces and guerrillas advocating for autonomy and indigenous rights. The operation was marked by swift and brutal attacks that primarily targeted civilian populations, leading to a significant loss of life, with at least 39 civilians, mostly women and children, recorded among the casualties. The attack not only caused physical destruction but also instilled deep psychological trauma within the community.

The Moiwana incident underscored the broader narrative of the Suriname Guerrilla War, which began in the late 1970s as the Frente Saramaca (a guerrilla group) and other factions took up arms against the military government. As military operations intensified, so did reports of human rights abuses and civilian casualties. The Moiwana assault soon became emblematic of the military's heavy-handed tactics against perceived insurgents and their supporters. In the aftermath, humanitarian organizations called for investigations and accountability for the military's actions, which they viewed as violations of human rights.

International attention began to focus on Suriname due to these incidents, putting pressure on the government to address the ongoing abuses and engage in dialogue with opposing factions. The legacy of the Moiwana massacre remained a painful memory, affecting the survivors and shaping narratives around justice, reconciliation, and the need for protections for vulnerable populations during conflicts.