Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT) has informed Wendy Jap A Joe in writing that her term as director of the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS, Suriname’s telecommunications authority) expired on 20 October 2026.

The minister has instructed her to immediately transfer the administrative responsibilities entrusted to her. The Raad van Commissarissen (RvC, Supervisory Board) has also received an official letter in which the minister urges measures to safeguard the continuity of the organisation.

This is evident from two ministerial letters dated Tuesday, 20 October 2026, seen by Key News. Both documents were signed by Minister Landveld and concern the expiry of Jap A Joe’s term of appointment.

In the letter to Jap A Joe, reference MIN-SEC 1582-26, the minister refers to presidential resolution Bureau No. 8191/21, on the basis of which she was appointed director at the time.

Landveld states that, due to the expiry of her term, arrangements must be made in accordance with the Wet Telecommunicatievoorzieningen.

The minister writes that the transfer of her administrative responsibilities must take place immediately, referring to Article 4.2 of the law. He appeals for her cooperation and professional commitment to safeguard TAS’s operations during the transition phase.

Supervisory Board must take measures

In a separate letter, reference MIN-SEC 1583-26, Landveld addresses the Raad van Commissarissen, chaired by Emanuel Scheek.

The minister asks the board to handle the situation that has arisen with the necessary urgency and to assess which legal provisions are required.

According to the minister, the RvC must immediately examine which measures are needed to guarantee the continuity of governance and management within TAS.

Landveld also requires the board to inform him how the position of director will be temporarily filled.

The minister emphasises that the RvC must carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and promptly inform him of the outcomes of its deliberations.

New development in long-running governance conflict

The letters mark a new development in the long-running conflict between Jap A Joe and the Raad van Commissarissen.

Relations between the two parties have been under pressure for some time. Key News previously reported that Jap A Joe had filed a lawsuit against six members of the RvC.

During a press conference in September, president-commissioner Emanuel Scheek stated that President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons should intervene to find a solution to the situation that had arisen.

Minister Landveld indicated at the time that suspension or dismissal of the director was not under consideration and that the management and commissioners had to continue their work.

With the expiry of the appointment term, a new administrative situation has now arisen. Whereas the matter previously mainly concerned a conflict over cooperation between management and the supervisors, the formal transfer of administrative responsibilities is now central.

No new director appointed yet

Notably, neither of the ministerial letters names a successor to Jap A Joe. Nor do they state who will take on the day-to-day management of TAS during the transition period.

The minister explicitly places responsibility for making the necessary arrangements with the Raad van Commissarissen.

The president and Vice President Gregory Rusland have received copies of both letters.

The developments raise the question of how the administrative transition will proceed in practice, particularly in view of the existing tensions between Jap A Joe and the RvC.

With the written instructions, Minister Landveld has made his position on the expiry of the term clear. Further implementation and the appointment of temporary management must still provide clarity on the administrative situation within TAS.