Kyrgyz president Japarov reveals why he dropped Tashiev as his successor

Sadyr Japarov initially did not want to run in Kyrgyzstan’s 2027 presidential election and planned to make Kamchybek Tashiev, the former chairman of the State Committee for National Security, president instead, Kaktus Media reported, citing an interview with journalist Ali Toktakunov.

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Japarov said Tashiev was aware of the plan.

«If Kamchy is up for it, I’m out of the 2027 race. He gets the presidency, I get retirement. I personally gave him my word a year back,» the president said.

Japarov says Tashiev was «not ready»

Japarov later concluded that Tashiev was «not ready» and that his staff «was not behaving as expected.» He said he had also told the former security chief that he needed to «cleanse his circle and train his people.»

«His associates rose to unreasonable prominence. When the letter from 75 aksakals appeared, when I saw Parliament splitting into factions loyal to the general [Tashiev], I summoned him and gave him a clear ultimatum: this was unacceptable. I told him he could not divide the people — especially along north-south lines — and that I punish such attempts harshly, because our nation has only just started to unite. So, I said, no offense intended, but I am removing you from your position» he said.

At the same time, Japarov noted he had promised Tashiev that he would create all the necessary conditions if Tashiev decided to run in the presidential election.