The ABOP parliamentary group withdrew from the meeting of De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) on Tuesday, October 20. The departure is said to be related to recent developments surrounding Wendy Jap-A-Joe, whose position as director of the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS) is under discussion. The move comes at a time when ABOP chairman Ronnie Brunswijk has openly criticised the way the director is being treated.
Although the parliamentary group has not yet officially confirmed that the TAS issue was the direct reason for the departure, recent developments point to growing tensions within the governing coalition. It remains unclear whether ABOP intends to send a political signal to the government by leaving the meeting and what consequences this will have for further parliamentary work.
Brunswijk: No dismissal without presidential resolution
Earlier on Tuesday, ABOP chairman Ronnie Brunswijk said in an interview with ABC Suriname that, in his view, Jap-A-Joe cannot be removed from her post without a formal presidential resolution.
“If that woman has to go, then a dismissal resolution must be issued,” Brunswijk stated. According to him, the Raad van Commissarissen (RvC, Supervisory Board) cannot independently decide to remove the director from her post.
The ABOP leader also sharply criticised the events of Monday, when an attempt was made to remove Jap-A-Joe from her office. According to Brunswijk, both the commissioners and the police officers involved acted wrongly. He stated that a court ruling is required for a forced eviction. Suriname Herald also reported on Brunswijk’s criticism of the actions at TAS.
Brunswijk further stated that he discussed the situation surrounding TAS with President Jennifer Simons last week. According to him, agreements were made on how the matter was to be handled.
RvC and ministry say term has expired
The Raad van Commissarissen announced on Tuesday that Jap-A-Joe is no longer authorised to act as director of TAS as of October 20.
According to the board, her statutory five-year appointment term expired on October 19. The RvC states that interim management of the organisation has therefore passed to the commissioners.
The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT) has also now commented on the matter. In a letter dated Tuesday, Minister Raymond Landveld indicated that the appointment term has ended and that measures must be taken to safeguard the administrative continuity of TAS.
This position contrasts with Brunswijk’s view, as he maintains that the directorship cannot be terminated in this manner.
Tensions between the management and the commissioners have existed for some time. In September, Key News already reported on the conflict, in which then president-commissioner Emanuel Scheek indicated he was prepared to resign from his post if Jap-A-Joe remained as director. Also read: President did not issue instructions to TAS.
Dissatisfaction within coalition has been ongoing
The developments surrounding TAS do not stand alone. Over recent months, Brunswijk has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment of officials put forward by ABOP.
He previously referred to problems at TAS, Grassalco and Canawaima. According to the party chairman, agreements within the governing coalition are being insufficiently honoured and officials affiliated with ABOP are coming under pressure.
On September 24, Brunswijk even warned that his party does not rule out leaving the coalition if the situation does not change. “If the bucket overflows, what will happen? Then we will leave,” he said at the time. The statement was addressed in earlier reporting on the tensions within the coalition.
In early October, Brunswijk qualified his words. He stressed that he was not threatening to leave the government, but was merely drawing attention to agreements that, according to him, are being insufficiently honoured.
Against this background, the withdrawal of the ABOP parliamentary group from the DNA meeting can be seen as a possible new signal of political dissatisfaction.
Political consequences still unclear
It is not yet known whether the ABOP parliamentary group will resume its participation in upcoming meetings or whether the party is considering further steps. It is also unclear whether consultations are now taking place between the ABOP leadership and President Simons on the situation that has arisen.
Coming developments will have to show whether the departure from the meeting remains a one-off protest or has consequences for cooperation within the coalition.
