Personnel changes in the ministries and government agencies of Tajikistan

The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, has made a series of personnel changes in ministries, committees, and other state bodies.

According to the press service of the President of Tajikistan, on October 26, by decree of Rahmon, Anvar Safarzoda was appointed as the presidential assistant for legal issues and simultaneously as the president’s representative in the Majlisi milli (upper house) and the Majlisi namoyandagon (lower house) of the Majlisi Oli. He replaced Zarif Alizoda in this position.

By a resolution of the Government of Tajikistan, Sarvina Hakimiyon was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Justice. Suhrob Kudratzoda and Mirzo Ismoilzoda were appointed as Deputy Ministers of Economic Development and Trade, Abubakr Asadullozoda as Deputy Minister of Finance, and Parviz Latifzoda as Deputy Minister of Education and Science.

In addition, Emomali Rahmon appointed Umed Ismoilzoda as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Construction, Akhliddin Ziyovuddinzoda as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Development, and Rustam Nazarzoda as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Primary and Secondary Vocational Education.

As part of the personnel changes, Davlatmurod Murodzoda was appointed Deputy Director of the Agency for Melioration and Irrigation, Saymuddin Rizozoda as the First Deputy General Director of the State Unitary Enterprise “Tojiksugurta” (“Tajik Insurance”), and Abdumajid Yusufzoda as Deputy Chairman of the Antimonopoly Service under the government.

By presidential decrees, Rasul Ma’rufi was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President, Muhammad Odinzoda as Deputy Director of the State Energy Supervision Agency, and Muso Saidakhmadzoda as Director of the Credit Guarantee Fund.

Furthermore, Emomali Rahmon sent proposals to the Majlisi namoyandagon regarding changes to the composition of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is proposed to relieve Bakhtiyor Khudoerzoda of his duties as Chairman of the Commission and Abdudjabbor Kodirzoda of his duties as Deputy Chairman of the Commission. A group of commission members will leave its composition due to the expiration of their terms.

Rahmon also proposed appointing his former assistant Zarif Alizoda as the new Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums, Jamshid Saidzoda, who previously headed the executive committee of the PDPT, as Deputy Chairman of the Commission, and Dilafruz Nazaralizoda, Adkham Mamurozoda, Zainura Rajabzoda, Navruz Samadzoda, and Makhfirat Idizoda as members of the Commission.

Changes in the composition of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums are taking place against the backdrop of preparations for the presidential elections, which will be held in Tajikistan next year. It is still unclear whether Emomali Rahmon, who has held the presidency since 1994, will participate in them, or if his son Rustam Emomali, currently the Chairman of the Majlisi milli and Mayor of Dushanbe, will run for this position.

In a conversation with officials appointed to new positions, Emomali Rahmon urged them to “serve the Motherland and the people of the country diligently and faithfully,” to pay attention to the training of new personnel that meet the demands of the time, and to treat citizens “with dignity.”

It is important to note that personnel reshuffles in Tajikistan usually occur annually. However, most experts describe these changes as formal or “shuffles.” According to them, when distributing positions, Rahmon typically does not prioritize specialization, knowledge, and professional skills. The main criterion, in their opinion, is personal acquaintance with the president himself or members of his family. Many officials relieved of one position, without regard to personal achievements, professional skills, and knowledge, are appointed to others. Additionally, there are claims about the sale of government positions for large sums.