In an interview, the president stated:
Discussions in society have intensified since Kamchybek Tashiev left his position.
Among the concerns, the thought arises: “If Sadyr Japarov and Kamchybek Tashiev do not reach an agreement, it will cause a split in the country.” Is this possible?
— First of all, I will not allow the country to be divided into north and south. Politicians often use such divisions for their own interests, manipulating public opinion.
Since gaining independence, politicians have divided the country into groups. I saw this in 2005 when I first entered politics. Half of the government consisted of representatives from the north, the other half from the south, and the same principle operated in some ministries.
It was very sad to witness.
I promised myself back then that if I were destined to become president, I would try to overcome this problem of Kyrgyzstan.
Since 2021, as you may have noticed, such divisions are gradually disappearing. For example, we have implemented a rotation of district akims and leaders of the judicial system, the prosecutor's office, the GKNB, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
All akims and judges have been replaced. There are no akims from the south in the south — all are appointed from the north. The same is true in the north: there are no akims from the north, all are from the southern regions.
These measures are already showing results — the level of division has noticeably decreased. In the future, if God allows, we will reach the айыл okmotu as well. After all, it often happens that the head of the айыл okmotu in his native village allocates resources in favor of his relatives.
For example, tenders are won by his relatives, and irrigated lands are given to people from his close circle, and there are many such cases.
We will gradually eradicate this practice, although it will take time. We also need to address housing issues.
If you are interested in how else we can eliminate the division between north and south, I can tell you about it.
Two or three years ago, we opened the "Akyilman" school, where we gathered talented children from both regions and educate them in a boarding school format in Cholpon-Ata.
Now such schools are being built across the country. Within 2-3 years, we plan to complete the construction of 7-8 "Akyilman" schools.
Our children study together, without division into regions. For example, in Cholpon-Ata, students from all corners of the country study, and it will be the same in Osh — children from all regions will gain knowledge together. God willing, this will happen in all regions.
After graduating from these schools, and then from universities, young people will be able to easily enter public service. Last year, I initiated a law that has already come into force.
This is done so that graduates of "Akyilman" do not remain unemployed, even if I leave my position, and this law is not adopted.
We are spending state funds on educating these talented children, who will work in public service in 5-6 years. They will become the future cadre and will not divide Kyrgyzstan.
In February last year, I started another important initiative. I gathered the head of the cabinet and ministers and instructed them to build student dormitories in regional centers, as well as to implement a rotation of students starting September 1, 2026.
The country allocates 10,000 budget places for applicants, of which 5,000 are for southern applicants and 5,000 for northern applicants.
Students from the north will study in the south, and those from the south will study in the north. I initiated the construction of dormitories in seven regions, but this year we could not complete the work on time, so the project has been postponed to September next year.
After the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the World Nomad Games, we will begin construction.
Starting next September, students studying under the budget quota will begin their studies under the rotation system. What will be the result? Thus, the "north-south" problem may disappear.
Among the 5,000 students coming from the north, families may form, leading to an exchange of cultures and mentalities. The same will happen with the 5,000 students from the south studying in the north.
Thus, in 20-30 years, the "north-south" issue will be resolved. If we do not use such methods, this problem will not be overcome.
I urge the people: do not succumb to manipulation, it does not matter whether the president is from the north or the south. The main thing is his honest and effective work. As Deng Xiaoping said: “It doesn’t matter if it’s a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice.” The president must be honest, fair, and work for everyone.
Today, all over the country, without dividing into regions, the same work is being carried out. Facilities are being built, roads are being paved, and social buildings are being erected. Every citizen should understand that all this is financed from the state budget, and not at someone’s private expense.
— Recently, it has been observed that deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh continue to divide into groups. In your last interview, you mentioned: “Because of this, your friend left his position.” How do you comment on this?
— As I said, all divisions start with politicians. Ordinary people become tools in their hands. Politicians use people to achieve their goals, and ordinary people gain no benefits from this. Even the table will not become wider, and an extra piece of bread will not fall.
As a result of the turmoil, ordinary people suffer and die. Have you ever heard of a politician's relative suffering in the last 30 years?
It is not worth paying attention to the provocative words of politicians.
Ultimately, I will eradicate the "north-south" problem. It just takes time.
Here’s another case. After I became president, I visited Batken for the first time and met with local residents.
One of them addressed me, and I already knew that a local politician had prompted him: “There is not a single minister from Batken in the government,” he said. I replied: “Okay, I will appoint a minister from Batken. Will there be twice as much food on your table tomorrow?” — “No,” he said, and I added: “Then from today, I will be your minister and deputy. I will treat everyone equally.”
I continue to fulfill my promises. Houses are being built in Batken under the GIK program, stadiums, roads, and schools are being constructed.
I am attracting investors to build factories and plants in Batken. Of course, there are shortcomings; it is impossible to avoid them. We are not magicians to solve all problems in one year.
I inherited a state in crisis. In some regions, assistance is insufficient, and we are aware of this. We monitor how much funding is allocated to each region, and if it does not work out this year, we will complete it next year.
— Some politicians and activists call for: “Sadyr Japarov and Kamchybek Tashiev must come to an agreement for the future of the country.” In your previous interview, you said: “We will remain friends.” Do you still hold this position?
— Yes, I hold this position. By nature, if disputes arise, I prefer to resolve them peacefully, without conflict. We will remain friends. But this person should not return to public office. Let him rest and take care of his health.
He should rid himself of the so-called "aksakals and koksakals."
The investigative authorities will sort things out and establish all the circumstances. Of course, he may not be satisfied now. He may be upset, but in years to come, he will say: “Friend, you did the right thing” and thank me.
— There are rumors in society that you have started to remove ministers and people close to your friend from their positions, and some are leaving voluntarily. Is this true? Are you initiating their resignations?
— I have not told anyone to leave their positions. I said: do not interfere in politics, let everyone fulfill their duties.
If someone leaves voluntarily, we do not hold them back. But there will be an audit in all ministries for possible theft. If facts are established, they will be held accountable.
I have always warned, starting from the head of government and all ministers: do not hire close relatives, friends, or fellow countrymen. Those who think that “my uncle or brother will cover for me” start to steal without fear.
If theft is proven, anyone will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their status.
Thank God, I have not allowed any of my relatives to hold high state positions. I have not involved them in politics.
When I first started working, I was criticized for having “two of my in-laws in power,” so I removed both of them, even though they had worked in the system before I arrived. I said: “Understand correctly, the reproaches are directed at me, temporarily leave your positions,” and I removed them from their posts.
— Speaking of 75 politicians or deputies, if their plans were realized — whether it be early elections or a coup, how would you envision today?
— There will be no coup. Firstly, the laws do not allow it, and secondly, there are no conditions for it.
To govern the country, one must use intelligence, not force. There is a saying: “The strong will defeat one, but the strong with knowledge will defeat a thousand.”
Those who do not know how to read laws come up with such methods. Those who said “I will govern by force,” like Bakiyev, where are they now? Atambayev is also not in power.
We must learn from our mistakes. If I say that there are no conditions for a coup in the country, it is because out of 24 hours a day, I work 20 hours, controlling everything. If something goes wrong, I immediately give instructions to the relevant ministers, akims, and governors for prompt correction of the situation.
I have been working for five years, not sparing myself, with one goal — to remain in clean history and not leave my descendants grounds for reproach. Of course, there are shortcomings; this cannot be denied. It is impossible to control everything 100 percent; you are not a robot. But we ensure control at the level of 70-80 percent.
— There are also rumors that “Kamchybek Tashiev has left, and now the fight against organized crime and corruption will stop, and crime will raise its head”...
— First of all, we currently have no organized crime, and there will not be. Of course, there will be crimes, as well as criminals, but no one can completely eradicate them. Where there are people, there is everything.
But organized criminal groups, as before, no longer exist. They are all in places of deprivation of liberty or hiding abroad. If criminals think they can return to Kyrgyzstan and establish their thieving laws, they are mistaken.
Kyrgyzstan today is a completely different Kyrgyzstan. It is necessary to distinguish between the country before and after 2020. The new government does not make agreements with criminal groups. Therefore, there will be no organized crime anymore.
The fight against corruption will not stop. It will continue forever. There is not a single country in the world that can claim to have completely eradicated corruption. Even in Singapore, considered a country without corruption, the level is 15-16 percent.
There is no need to engage in PR and say that “we have no corruption.” Corruption will never completely disappear. There are different types of it: economic, political, clan, and others. We are making every effort to combat it and reduce its level.
Dealing with crime was not difficult; order was established in one day. However, we have not been able to completely deal with corruption over the past five years. If God allows, we will try to reduce its level as much as possible.
We have enough strength and intelligence for this. I instructed the law enforcement agencies: “In the fight against crime and corruption, you have a green light, just work quietly, calmly, and professionally.”
— Last question: have you met with your friend after his resignation?
If the meeting took place, what did you talk about?
— Yes, we met. I received him yesterday evening. I said: “Rest, friend, take care of your health, live peacefully.”
According to him, he has not communicated with the so-called “aksakals” or “koksakals.”
I came to the conclusion that they acted independently, according to their own plan, without informing my friend. As the Russians say, they rendered him a “bear service.”
We will restore order. Thank God, we have enough strength for this.
