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[POLITICS] · Suriname · 6 sources

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Part of situation: Suriname Telecommunications Authority leadership crisis (3 clusters)

Suriname Telecommunications Authority faces leadership conflict and physical confrontation

Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname Wendy Jap-A-Joe Emanuel Scheek Suriname leadership dispute

A leadership dispute at the Telecommunications Authority Suriname (TAS) has escalated into a physical confrontation between security personnel and the Supervisory Board (RvC). The conflict arose following the expiration of Director Wendy Jap-A-Joe’s five-year term on October 19, 2021.

Emanuel Scheek, President-Commissioner of the RvC, announced that the board has assumed provisional management of TAS, asserting that Jap-A-Joe no longer holds legal authority to represent the agency or authorize payments. However, Jap-A-Joe has refused to hand over her duties, maintaining that her contract was tacitly extended because no formal notice of non-renewal was provided. This position is supported by ABOP leader Ronnie Brunswijk, who criticized the RvC’s attempt to evict the director.

During an attempt by the RvC to manage the transition, a physical altercation occurred. Scheek reported being grabbed and thrown to the ground by security guards, and other board members also reported being pushed. Scheek has announced intentions to file charges for assault. Meanwhile, NPS leader Jerrel Pawiroredjo has called on President Jennifer Simons to resolve the situation by replacing both the director and the Supervisory Board to end what he described as a ‘circus-like state’ within the organization.

Entities

Emanuel Scheek · Raymond Landveld · Ronnie Brunswijk · Suriname · Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname · Wendy Jap-A-Joe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Supervisory Board holds provisional management of TAS as of October 20. stvs.sr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Supervisory Board members Emanuel Scheek, Joan Nibte, and Orpheo Lamain were physically pushed by security personnel.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Ronnie Brunswijk claims Jap-A-Joe’s contract was tacitly extended due to lack of notice.
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Wendy Jap-A-Joe’s five-year term as Director of TAS expired on October 19, 2021. stvs.sr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Minister Raymond Landveld issued a letter ordering Jap-A-Joe to relinquish her function.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Jap-A-Joe maintains that only the President has the authority to dismiss her.

Sources

TAS-affaire legt falend bestuur bloot, Simons verschuilt zich achter de wet, maar de crisis blijft onopgelost [kowchecking.com]
Bekendmaking RvC TAS: Wendy Jap-A-Joe niet langer bevoegd als directeur [stvs.sr]
Minister Landveld roept op tot actie bij Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname [surinamenieuws.nl]
President weerspreekt afspraak over voortzetting directeurschap TAS [abcsuriname.com]
President Geerlings-Simons: ‘Zittingstermijn TAS-directeur is verlopen’ [dwtonline.com]
Simons ontkent toestemming aanblijven TAS-directeur: eerst onderzoek, dan nieuwe benoeming [www.waterkant.net]