Why Tashiev, seen as a potential president, stepped down

Kamchybek Tashiev, who headed Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security from 2020 until now and was widely seen as a potential future president, has been relieved of all his positions to prevent divisions among state institutions. This was stated by presidential press secretary Askat Alagozov.

According to Alagozov, President Sadyr Japarov made the decision in the interests of the state in order to prevent divisions in society, including among government structures, and to strengthen unity.

Kamchybek Tashiev was born on September 27, 1968, in the village of Barpi in the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region. In 1992, he graduated from Tomsk Polytechnic University with a degree in chemical engineering technology, and in 1999 from Kyrgyz National University with a degree in law.

He began his career in 1993–1998 as director of the Meerim-Ay production company. From June 1998 to 2005, he held various positions in the Jalal-Abad regional state administration’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Investment, the Tomas production and commercial company, the Elet-Kench agricultural cooperative, the Kyrgyz prime minister’s office and the Lenin district administration of Bishkek.

From 2005 to 2007, he served as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh and chaired the committee on the fuel and energy complex and water resources. From 2007 to 2009, he served as Minister of Emergency Situations, and from 2010 to 2013 he again served as a member of parliament.

From October 2020 to October 2021, he served as Chairman of the State Committee for National Security. On October 13, 2021, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Chairman of the State Committee for National Security.

Earlier, President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree terminating Tashiev’s powers ahead of schedule. Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov was appointed acting Chairman of the State Committee for National Security. Several hours after the resignation, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a phone conversation with President Sadyr Japarov.