Former coup leader sworn in as president of Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC - Former military strongman Desi Bouterse on Thursday promised to work with the opposition to develop Suriname as he was inaugurated as President of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.



“I solemnly promise that service and sacrifice will be the base of my work,” Bouterse said after he was sworn-in at a ceremony in the capital.



“The opposition are not our opponents. We see them as cooperation partners to accomplish policy together,” he added, signalling that his administration would fight against corruption.



Bouterse, 64, twice seized power here by way of coups but was given the democratic nod this time around securing enough votes in Parliament last month.



Although no political party or alliance scored an outright majority at the May 25 general election, Bouterse’s Mega Combination won the largest block of parliamentary seats.



He first came to power in February 1980, when he led a coup that suspended Suriname’s constitution and dissolved the Parliament five years after the former Dutch colony gained independence.



In 1990, Bouterse once again seized power after leading another coup and has remained a powerful force on the country’s political landscape, even after he stopped serving as military chief in 1992.



He is currently on trial for his role in killing 15 political opponents in 1982.



Bouterse’s chequered past includes a 1999 conviction in absentia by a Dutch court for trafficking cocaine to the Netherlands. Prosecutors said he was the leader of the “Suri Cartel”.



However, he has avoided an 11-year prison term because the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.