Resignation of Kyrgyzstan’s GKNB head Kamchybek Tashiyev: revolution or power crisis?
In a stunning move, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on February 10, 2026, dismissed his political ally and close friend, Kamchybek Tashiev, from his positions as Deputy Prime Minister and head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB). Following this decision, Tashiyev’s deputies also left their posts.
Additionally, Japarov transferred the responsibility for the security of high-ranking officials and key facilities from the GKNB to a newly created entity—the State Guard Service—directly subordinating it to himself. This move has sparked speculation about the future implications for the Japarov regime, as analyzed by Daniil Kislov, director of the international news agency Fergana.Media.
Tashiyev and Japarov are not just friends but political partners who played key roles in the 2020 revolution that ousted the previous regime. Following the revolution, Tashiyev became Japarov’s right-hand man, heading the GKNB and effectively controlling the country’s security forces. The duo’s alliance has long been based on mutual interests, but beneath their strong friendship, tensions had been simmering—tensions that have now led to a break.
Ambitions and competition
One of the main reasons for the split lies in personal ambitions and competition. Tashiyev, who was popular among nationalists, security forces, and southern elites, increasingly positioned himself as a rival power center. In recent years, he openly criticized ministers and even interfered in economic matters, causing friction with Japarov.
Japarov, who consolidated power through constitutional reforms and suppression of the opposition, began to see Tashiyev as a threat, particularly with rumors circulating that Tashiyev was preparing for a presidential run in 2027. In Kyrgyz politics, friendships often end where the struggle for power begins, and Japarov likely decided to eliminate a potential rival before Tashiyev gained too much influence.
Key issues and diverging approaches
Another factor in the split was their differing approaches to key issues. While both shared similar goals, their methods often clashed. Tashiyev, as head of the GKNB, took a more radical approach, cracking down on opposition but also targeting clans close to the president. His stance on the Tajikistan border issue was particularly hardline, leading to conflicts and losses, while Japarov seemed more open to finding compromises for the sake of Kyrgyzstan’s international image.
Economic disagreements also played a role. Tashiyev’s anti-corruption campaigns reportedly affected business interests tied to Japarov’s family and allies. Insider leaks from Kyrgyz Telegram channels hint at a scandal surrounding infrastructure contracts, with Tashiyev allegedly blocking deals that would have benefitted Japarov’s inner circle. What once was a friendship now seemed more like a reluctant partnership, fraying at the edges.
Additionally, Japarov transferred the responsibility for the security of high-ranking officials and key facilities from the GKNB to a newly created entity—the State Guard Service—directly subordinating it to himself. This move has sparked speculation about the future implications for the Japarov regime, as analyzed by Daniil Kislov, director of the international news agency Fergana.Media.
Tashiyev and Japarov are not just friends but political partners who played key roles in the 2020 revolution that ousted the previous regime. Following the revolution, Tashiyev became Japarov’s right-hand man, heading the GKNB and effectively controlling the country’s security forces. The duo’s alliance has long been based on mutual interests, but beneath their strong friendship, tensions had been simmering—tensions that have now led to a break.
Ambitions and competition
One of the main reasons for the split lies in personal ambitions and competition. Tashiyev, who was popular among nationalists, security forces, and southern elites, increasingly positioned himself as a rival power center. In recent years, he openly criticized ministers and even interfered in economic matters, causing friction with Japarov.
Japarov, who consolidated power through constitutional reforms and suppression of the opposition, began to see Tashiyev as a threat, particularly with rumors circulating that Tashiyev was preparing for a presidential run in 2027. In Kyrgyz politics, friendships often end where the struggle for power begins, and Japarov likely decided to eliminate a potential rival before Tashiyev gained too much influence.
Key issues and diverging approaches
Another factor in the split was their differing approaches to key issues. While both shared similar goals, their methods often clashed. Tashiyev, as head of the GKNB, took a more radical approach, cracking down on opposition but also targeting clans close to the president. His stance on the Tajikistan border issue was particularly hardline, leading to conflicts and losses, while Japarov seemed more open to finding compromises for the sake of Kyrgyzstan’s international image.
Economic disagreements also played a role. Tashiyev’s anti-corruption campaigns reportedly affected business interests tied to Japarov’s family and allies. Insider leaks from Kyrgyz Telegram channels hint at a scandal surrounding infrastructure contracts, with Tashiyev allegedly blocking deals that would have benefitted Japarov’s inner circle. What once was a friendship now seemed more like a reluctant partnership, fraying at the edges.
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