Suriname Mourns as Desi Bouterse's Funeral Procession Begins

paramaribo - Family and friends bid farewell to Desi Bouterse in his home in Leonsberg as the funeral procession starts towards his political party's headquarters.

Family and friends of Desi Bouterse gathered on Saturday to pay their last respects to the former Surinamese military leader in his residence in Leonsberg. Bouterse, dressed in military attire with his trademark sunglasses on, was seen during the live broadcast of the Bouterse-aligned TV station D-TV Express.

Former soldiers in uniform placed a Surinamese flag on the coffin, flanked by four indigenous men in traditional attire. The open casket was then carried to a white hearse that will transport Bouterse to his party's headquarters, a 40-kilometer journey. Many attendees wore camouflage clothing, while others donned T-shirts bearing the image of the late ex-president. Dozens of cars joined the funeral procession.

Former President Jules Wijdenbosch also attended the farewell. Speaking to D-TV Express, he acknowledged that Bouterse had made mistakes but praised his efforts to raise awareness for Suriname and its people. 'He did his best,' Wijdenbosch commented.

Bouterse played significant roles in Surinamese history, ranging from coup leader to dictator, party chairman, parliamentarian, president, convicted drug dealer, and fugitive murderer.