Kyrgyz president dismisses security ally in major power reset

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has moved swiftly to consolidate his authority following the dismissal of his long-time ally Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS).

Tashiev was removed from office on 10 February ahead of schedule and was also stripped of his position as deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. In the same decree, Japarov dismissed three of Tashiev’s deputies as well as Security Council Secretary Rustam Mamasadykov.

Presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov said the decision had been taken “in the interests of the state” to prevent fragmentation within society and to strengthen unity.

Immediate restructuring of the security apparatus

The reshuffle was followed by structural changes to the security system.

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, previously deputy chairman of the SCNS and head of the State Protection Service, was appointed acting chairman of the security committee and deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Under the reforms:

• The Border Service will be separated from the SCNS and turned into an independent agency.
• The Ninth Service of the committee will be transformed into a State Protection Service directly subordinate to the president.

The changes significantly reduce the scope of the SCNS and place more direct control in the hands of the presidency.

A powerful alliance dismantled

Tashiev and Japarov rose to power together during the political turmoil of October 2020. Since then, they have been widely regarded as the country’s dominant political duo, with Tashiev often described as the second most influential figure in Kyrgyzstan.

Appointed head of the SCNS in October 2020, Tashiev played a central role in Japarov’s anti-corruption campaign. The security committee launched high-profile investigations against senior officials and oversaw major asset-recovery efforts.

In a December interview, Tashiev said the SCNS had returned 300 billion som (approximately $3.3bn) to the state budget over five years and restored more than 1,000 properties and 30,000 hectares of land to state ownership. He also played a prominent role in border negotiations with Uzbekistan.

His removal therefore represents not merely a personnel change but the dismantling of a power-sharing arrangement that had defined Kyrgyz politics for five years.

An “unexpected” dismissal

Tashiev described the decision as “unexpected”. He is currently in Germany undergoing medical treatment and said he had travelled abroad with presidential permission.

While he accepted the president’s authority and called for calm, the timing of the move - amid rising political debate over presidential elections - has intensified speculation about internal tensions within the political elite.

Electoral backdrop and political calculations

President Japarov’s term formally runs until January 2027. However, debate has intensified over whether early presidential elections should be held.

A petition signed by 75 public figures, including former prime ministers and MPs, recently called for early elections, arguing that constitutional amendments adopted in 2021 have created legal ambiguities regarding the presidential term.

Although Japarov has not formally declared his candidacy, he recently stated that he would expect stronger support than in 2021, when he won around 80% of the vote.

Tashiev repeatedly denied any intention to run for president, but speculation about his possible ambitions persisted. According to a survey by the International Republican Institute, his approval rating rose from 14% to 22% in recent years, while Japarov’s has remained relatively stable at 35–38%.

What the reshuffle means

The dismissal appears to serve several potential purposes:

• Eliminating an alternative centre of power within the security establishment
• Restructuring the SCNS to reduce its institutional weight
• Strengthening direct presidential oversight of security institutions
• Clarifying elite alignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election

Kyrgyzstan has experienced repeated political upheavals since 2005, with three presidents removed through street protests. While the Japarov–Tashiev tandem was criticised for tightening control over the media and opposition, supporters credited them with delivering relative stability and economic growth.

The dissolution of their alliance introduces uncertainty into a system that has relied heavily on personal loyalty and concentrated authority.

Whether the move results in greater institutional consolidation or renewed elite friction will depend on how smoothly the security restructuring and broader political recalibration unfold in the months ahead.

Tags

Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov Politics elections