Bouterse remembered as a patriot

PARAMARIBO (CMC):

The main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) Tuesday observed the 45th anniversary of the military coup that brought Desi Bouterse to power, recalling his last wish to Suriname and that is to return the party back to government.

Bouterse, 79, died last December and had been in hiding since December 2023, after he and several others were charged and convicted with the December 8, 1982, murders of 15 men, including journalists, military officers, union leaders, lawyers, businessmen and university lecturers.

Bouterse was given a 20-year jail term.

Speaking at the celebration of 45 years of ‘revolution’ dedicated to Bouterse on Tuesday, Laurens Neede spoke of the special role that Bouterse played in the seizure of power on February 25, 1980 by the so-called ‘Group of 16’.

The celebration held at the Monument of the Revolution, was held under the theme ‘Memre Desi Bouterse’ and his widow Ingrid Bouterse, lighted the the torch as wreaths were laid by several top figures of the party.

Bouterse first came to power when he and 15 other soldiers of the National Army carried out a successful coup on February 25, 1980, deposing the democratically elected government of Henck Arron. The coup was welcomed by large parts of society and the military rulers initially received support from left-wing political parties.

Neede said it is important that NDP members do everything they can to fulfill Bouterse’s last wish.

“We are celebrating 45 years of revolution without our big brother and leader of the revolution who preceded us. We are all convinced that we have to work harder to fulfill his last wish and that is to win the elections,” Neede said.

The elections will be held on May 25 this year.