The body of former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse left in a white hearse around half past eight local time (half past twelve Dutch time). The starting point was Bouterse’s house in Leonsberg, which is located in Paramaribo. The car then drove at walking pace to all kinds of important places in the city, such as the office of his party National Democratic Party (NDP). During the funeral procession, flowers were thrown on the hearse surrounded by people.
The former president’s funeral will take place later on Saturday afternoon, but before the white car left Leonsberg, three people – in addition to family and intimates – were already allowed to say goodbye to Bouterse. writes the Surinamese news site Starnieuws. Ernst Gefferie, Stephanus Dendoe and Benny Brondenstein are serving their sentences for complicity in the December murders in 1982, and were returned to prison after Bouterse said goodbye in the mortuary auditorium. Bouterse himself received twenty years in prison for his role in the December murders.
Desi Bouterse died on December 25 from liver disease due to chronic drinking. He was a fugitive after his conviction for the murder of fifteen political opponents of the military regime led by Bouterse in 1982.
No state funeral, but a large procession
The coffin, wrapped in a Surinamese flag by former soldiers, was carried into the white hearse later that morning. That could be seen on a live stream that the NDP broadcasts. Although flags are flying at half-mast on all government buildings, Bouterse was not given a state funeral, no military ceremony will take place and no period of national mourning has been declared. The NDP has taken a major approach to the funeral itself. The party’s vice-chairman, Ramon Abrahams, previously said yes NRC that the funeral will be the largest that Suriname has ever experienced.
After the funeral procession, a ride of about 40 kilometers also passing places such as the Office of the President and the National Assembly, the hearse will arrive at the party center around 5 p.m. Dutch time. There, Bouterse’s body will be laid out according to Surinamese custom and a funeral service will be held. “We want to offer as many people as possible the space to pay their last respects before the cremation takes place,” Abrahams said. The President of Suriname, Chan Santokhi, will not attend the funeral.
The December murders still leave deep marks in Suriname. Sunil Oemrawsingh, a survivor and chairman of the December 8, 1982 Foundation, previously said NRC to be relieved that Bouterse did not receive a state funeral.