President Berdymukhamedov replaced the country's eccentric leader Saparmurat Niyazov three years ago, after his sudden death. Turkmenistan has long touted itself as an island of stability in a rough neighbourhood, bordered as it is by the likes of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Iran - but the new leader's determination to embrace post-Soviet nationalism and indulgence in cult of personality flourishes much like his predecessor has led to disgruntlement in the hermit state
A statue of Turkmenistan's eccentric leader and President, Saparmurat Niyazov, is guarded by soldiers at the country's independence memorial in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2003. Niyazov ruled the gas-rich nation for 20 years and developed an elaborate personality cult. Golden statues and busts of the president are scattered across the country, and his portrait was on every bank note and coin
Photograph: Burt Herman/AP
The Guardian
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