Now that Bouterse has been missing for a year, supporters are hoping for his return

On a large wall in the working-class neighborhood of Frimangron is an image of a young Desi Bouterse in an army uniform and beret, with his signature underneath. Next to it is DDB (Desiree Delano Bouterse) NDP information center in large letters. As supporters of the political party NDP walk into this newly opened community center, a local singer performs Frank Sinatra’s ‘I did it my way‘, the anthem of the convicted and fugitive ex-president Bouterse.

“I heard him sing it at a last meeting,” says NDP supporter Grace Pinas as she hums along to the chorus. That was on the eve of Bouterse’s final conviction on appeal, to a twenty-year prison sentence for his role in the December murders. That statement was made exactly one year ago this Friday.

Bouterse never reported to prison and fled, together with his former bodyguard and co-convict Iwan Dijksteel. While three other elderly convicts are now serving their sentences, Bouterse has been missing for a year. “I miss him,” says Pinas, who calls himself a true ‘Boutist’. According to her, the party is weakened without Bouterse. “Hopefully they win the elections next year and bring Bouterse back and pardon him,” she says and wipes the sweat from her face with a handkerchief in the purple party color.

This evening it is not the new chairman of the NDP, former speaker of parliament and doctor Jenny Simons, who receives the loudest applause. The star of the evening is first lady Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, recently also a board member of the party. She is already in full campaign mode: “Although I sometimes have my moments and it is difficult, I will never, ever give up,” she says from the stage as tears roll down her cheek and a fellow party member puts an arm around her. “He taught me too much for that,” she sobs.

Wreath laying at Fort Zeelandia

A week earlier, the relatives of the December murders became emotional after laying wreaths and flowers at the 17th-century Fort Zeelandia. This is where fifteen opponents of the military regime led by then commander Bouterse were murdered on December 8, 1982, including journalists, lawyers and trade union leaders. “We will continue to fight for justice, for truth and for a better Suriname,” says survivor Sunil Oemrawsingh , also chairman of the Foundation, December 8, 1982, and then bursts into tears. He may have stood here so many times, but the pain remains.

We will continue to fight for justice, for truth and for a better Suriname

A year ago, when Oemrawsingh also stood at this spot, he still harbored hope that Bouterse would actually be convicted and imprisoned. “He must be kept under lock and key. I continue to believe in that. But it is very frustrating that we receive so little information from the Public Prosecution Service,” he says.

In November, it exceptionally gave a press conference in which it stated that the investigation was still ongoing, but that they were surprised about Bouterse’s flight. Signals from his lawyer Irwin Kanhai indicated that Bouterse intended to voluntarily report to prison, said Attorney General Garcia Paragsingh. In the meantime, with the exception of the surviving relatives, few Surinamese people seem to be concerned with Bouterse. But when a newspaper from neighboring French Guiana reports that Bouterse has been spotted in the Commewijne district and is said to be hiding there, it becomes the talk of the town.

Commewijne is a region relatively close to Paramaribo, accessible by boat. There are many old and abandoned sugar and coffee plantations. Boatswains in the area do not want to share much. It is known that Bouterse used to own a now abandoned plantation here. And deeper in the area there are holiday resorts, possibly belonging to party members.

“If they wanted to find Bouterse, they would have found him a long time ago. But it’s as if everyone, and I mean the government and politically influential Surinamese, are fine with it this way. Why would citizens or us boatswains burn our fingers on it?” says an older boatswain who knows the area very well and wants to remain anonymous.

He refers to the Public Prosecution Service’s call earlier this year for citizens who might know something about Bouterse’s whereabouts to come forward. According to relatives, offering a sum of money for the golden tip would help persuade people to do so. “That is not unusual, especially because this is the trial of the century, as it has always been called,” says lawyer Essed.

Grace in the making?

The NDP focuses on the elections of May 2025. “We have to win!”, shouts Ingrid Bouterse. The fact that her husband is still seen as the figurehead by his party and has been appointed honorary chairman seems to betray that he can count on a pardon if he wins an election. NDP leaders have already hinted at this.

With the exception of the surviving relatives, few Surinamese people are concerned with Bouterse

Party chairman Jenny Simons, who represents the intellectual branch within the party and is even seen as a capable presidential candidate by critics of the NDP, advocates a ‘code of ethical conduct’ at the meeting. Even in their private lives, NDP members must behave well and have integrity, according to Simons.

Angelic del Castilho of DA91, an opposition party that advocates good governance and against corruption, is surprised that the NDP in particular has come up with such a code. “At the same time, they want to pardon an ex-president sentenced to 20 years in prison, who is greatly honored. That is completely at odds with each other. They apparently assume that this society has no brains,” she says. According to the polls, the NDP could count on winning in the elections.

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