Foreign Affairs replaces Director-General Ambassador Waddell

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has replaced Director-General Ambassador Audrey Jardine – Waddell with the appointment of a Permanent Secretary who was identified as Charlene Phoenix, with immediate effect.

The Government’s statement comes two days after the Director-General refuted reports in the Stabroek News that her contract with the government was not renewed.

The statement Monday from the Ministry revealed that Ambassador Waddell, who is a career diplomat has proceeded on a period of annual leave pending reassignment.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recognized and expressed its appreciation to Ambassador Waddell for her service as Director-General.”

Ambassador Waddel served as Director General within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from June 2015.

According to the Ministry, the Government has recently undertaken a number of administrative actions “with a view to promoting greater efficiency in the discharge of the core mandate and essential functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a critical moment in the nation’s history.”

The new PS joined the Ministry in 1996.

“Ambassador Phoenix has served as the Director of the Department of the Americas since 2016 and as Guyana’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since November 2017.”