Personnel “Purge” Without Reforms: Berdimuhamedov Shuffles Officials Again, But Does Not Change the System
On February 14, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting of the State Security Council, following which he announced large-scale personnel changes. The changes affected key posts in the government, security structures, and state concerns. This was reported by Radio Azatlyk.
One of the most notable decisions was the dismissal of the Minister of National Security. Major General Nazar Atagarayev was released from his post “in connection with a transfer to another job.” His place was taken by Major General Dovletgeldi Meredov. However, the reshuffling did not end there. Personnel changes also affected the civilian sector. Among the most high-profile dismissals is the resignation of the President’s advisor on oil and gas issues, Ashyrguly Begliyev, one of the specialists long considered a key figure in the oil and gas block. Also dismissed from their posts were Deputy Prime Ministers Batyr Amanov and Bayramgul Orazdurdyeva, Minister of Health and Medical Industry Myrat Mammedov, and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Mammedkhan Chakiyev.
In addition, Minister of Environmental Protection Charygeldi Babanyazov, Chairman of the Food Industry Association Begmyrat Atayev, and dozens of other high-ranking officials were also relieved of their duties. The authorities traditionally do not explain the official reasons for the dismissals, which only reinforces the atmosphere of secrecy and fear within the state apparatus.
Following the dismissals, new appointments followed. The Chairman of the State Concern “Turkmennebit,” Guvanch Agajanov, was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Batyr Mammedov, the rector of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction, who was previously released from his position, also received the post of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.
A separate decision was the creation of a new agency — the Ministry of Highways. Khangeldi Kerimov was appointed its minister.
Stagnation of Salaries and Imitation of Management
Radio Azatlyk emphasizes that 2025 in Turkmenistan is already perceived as a year of stagnation in salaries and payments. Compared to previous years, wages and social benefits have not increased even by 10%, which raises more and more questions among the population about the real state of the economy and the prospects of the country.
At the same time, the regular updates of the leadership staff, which in the first years of independence aroused hopes for reforms among the population, are today increasingly perceived as a mechanical “shuffling” without substance. The new appointees remain unknown to society, and contact between officials and citizens has practically disappeared.
Murad Kurbanov’s Position: “This is not reform, but a change of signs”
The popularly elected President of Turkmenistan and leader of the opposition movement “Democratic Choice of Turkmenistan,” Murad Kurbanov, in connection with the latest wave of personnel changes, stated that what is happening is not a reform of the state, but an attempt to keep power in the hands of a narrow circle of people. According to him, Turkmenistan today does not need another replacement of ministers and deputy prime ministers, but systemic changes:
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transparency of the budget and income from oil and gas;
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real control over state concerns;
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freedom of speech and independent media;
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an independent judicial system;
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political competition and fair elections;
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an end to repressions against citizens.
“When the government changes officials but does not change the system, it means only one thing: the regime is looking for those to blame not in itself, but in the people. But the problem is not in the names. The problem is in the management model itself, where the state exists not for the people, but the people as a resource for the state,” Kurbanov emphasized.
The opposition also notes that personnel purges are taking place against the background of a deteriorating socio-economic situation, a decline in the standard of living, a shortage of basic goods, and a lack of trust in the authorities within the country.
According to opposition representatives, such decisions in Turkmenistan are most often used not to increase efficiency, but as a tool for control and intimidation of elites. Officials become easily replaceable figures, and the state system is sinking deeper into a closed structure where public accountability and transparency are absent.
