Bouterse takes the helm again

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Former military dictator Desi Bouterse was yesterday elected as President of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.Bouterse, 64, defeated Justice and Police Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi during a parliamentary vote.Over the weekend, Bouterse’s Mega Combination (MC) party struck a deal with his former military rival Ronnie Brunswijk to nominate Robert Ameerali, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKF) as his running mate.The outgoing New Front coalition (NF) has nominated Natural Resources Minister Gregory Rusland for the post of vice-president.Speaking prior to the vote, Bouterse said that he was confident that he would win.“It is a very exciting moment, I’m confident and look forward to the elections,” he said.His party won 23 of the 51 seats in parliament in the May 25 general elections.In 1980, Bouterse seized power in a military coup and ruled until November 1987 when he lost the general elections.In December 1990 he seized power again through a so-called “telephone-coup”, but again lost the general elections in May 1991.The former military strongman is now before the court on trial for the December 1982 murders of 15 political opponents of his then-military government. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 23. If found guilty, Bouterse could face up to 20 years in jail. (CMC)