Interior Minister Sacked

Interior Minister Akmamed Rahmanov was sacked on April 9. At a meeting with interior ministry officials, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov said that there had been “serious shortcomings” in Rahmanov’s work, and that he was unable to control his subordinates, the state news service reported. Deputy interior minister Khojamyrat Annagurbanov was promoted to head the ministry, which the president said was in need of a rapid and comprehensive overhaul. Annagurbanov is expected to institute changes. Some commentators in Ashgabat believe Rahmanov, who had held office since 2004, was removed because Berdymuhammedov wants to get rid of officials from the era of his predecessor Saparmurat Niazov. After his election in February, Berdymuhammedov reappointed all the heads of the security services – as well as Rahmonov, Defence Minister Agageldy Mametgeldyev, National Security Minister Geldymuhammed Ashirmuhammedov and Presidential Guard chief Akmurad Rejepov all kept their jobs.