BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan)(National Times)- Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov fired three ministers Monday seen as close to the dismissed former head of his security services, as he clears the political decks ahead of elections. Once seen as a hope for democracy and openness in the otherwise highly authoritarian region of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has been marked by political instability and three revolutions in the three decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Japarov consolidated power and marginalised opponents after coming to power after the latest revolt in 2020, and is gearing up for a presidential election next year in which he is the overwhelming front-runner. On Monday he removed his transport, environment and emergency situations ministers, all former allies, the presidential administration said in a statement. It follows the surprise removal last week of his ex-spy chief, Kamchybek Tashiev — with whom Japarov had essentially ruled the country in a power tandem. In an interview to state media, Japarov said he was acting to thwart the chances of a “coup” in the traditionally restive ex-Soviet state. He alleged several officials close to the ousted Tashiev were plotting to steer Kyrgyzstan “off the right path” and fuel discord between rival political and geographic factions in a country where regional affiliation is strong. Japarov, from the north, and Tashiev, from the south, governed as a duo — an unofficial solution to address the delicate balance between northern and southern Kyrgyzstan, separated by immense mountains and with strong local identities. Rights groups have accused Japarov of authoritarian tendencies in his almost six years in power, as he seeks to assert his control and cast himself as a bringer of stability.