Desi Bouterse, the ex-dictator of Suriname, died at 79, living in hiding after being convicted of executing political opponents. A military coup in 1980 launched his career, followed by his election as president in 2010. Current President Chan Santokhi has called for calm among citizens as more details about his death emerge.
Desi Bouterse, the former dictator and later elected president of Suriname, has passed away at the age of 79. He was a controversial figure who faced conviction for the execution of political opponents yet had evaded justice by living in hiding until his death, which occurred on Tuesday according to government reports. Bouterse’s rise to power began in 1980 when he led a military coup as a sergeant major and continued with subsequent political maneuvers, including a second coup and eventual election as president in 2010.
Despite his controversial legacy underscored by allegations of orchestrating political violence and human rights violations, Bouterse retained a degree of popularity among the working-class populace of Suriname. Following his death, the current President Chan Santokhi extended condolences to Bouterse’s family and called for the community to maintain calm while awaiting further information regarding the circumstances of his passing. As rumors circulated about his unexpected departure, his body was moved to his residence in Paramaribo, where family and supporters of his National Democratic Party gathered to pay their last respects.
Desi Bouterse was a pivotal figure in Suriname’s political history, coming to prominence after leading a coup in 1980 that ushered in a period of military rule. His government was marked by severe political repression and violence, earning him a conviction for the murders of political adversaries. Although he was forced to step down in 1987 due to international pressure, he returned to power in 1990 after a bloodless coup. Bouterse subsequently served as an elected president from 2010 until 2020, embodying a complicated legacy that includes both his economic policies and the violence of his earlier regime.
In summary, the passing of Desi Bouterse marks the end of an era in Suriname’s tumultuous political landscape. Despite the serious legal allegations against him, he remained a figure of intrigue amongst certain segments of society. The government’s handling of his death and the reactions of the public will likely shape discussions around his controversial legacy in the coming days.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
