On Friday, April 17, 2026, Turkey’s Presidency published a series of high-level diplomatic and administrative appointments in the Official Gazette, marking another round of personnel changes across its foreign service and key government departments. The announcements, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took effect immediately upon publication, as confirmed by multiple Turkish news outlets monitoring the Gazette’s updates.
The most prominent change involved the Ministry of Family and Social Services, where Yasin Akar was removed from his position as Director General of Disabled and Elderly Services. He was replaced by Taha Kürşad Sezen, whose appointment was formally documented in the same Gazette notice. This adjustment within the social services sector was noted alongside broader diplomatic reassignments affecting several of Turkey’s overseas missions.
Among the diplomatic shifts, two ambassadors were recalled to Ankara for reassignment: Ertan Yalçın, who had been serving as Turkey’s Ambassador to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, and Makbule Başak Yalçın, Turkey’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador. Both were ordered to return to the capital, though their future postings were not specified in the initial announcement.
Meanwhile, seven new ambassadorial appointments were confirmed across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Mehmet Cem Kahyaoğlu was named Turkey’s Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Gülsun Erkul was appointed to serve as Ambassador to Hungary while also retaining her role as Director General for Consular Affairs and Citizens Abroad. In Niger, Özge Arslan — previously Deputy Director General for Counterterrorism and Religious Minorities Affairs — was assigned as Turkey’s Ambassador. Nevzat Uyanık, Director General for Strategic Communications in Public Diplomacy, received his posting to Malaysia. Korhan Karakoç was appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden, and Halime Ebru Demircan, Deputy Director General for the European Court of Human Rights and Human Rights Affairs, became Ambassador to Madagascar. Finally, Muhammet Mustafa Çelik was recalled from his post in Angola to be replaced by Özgür Uludüz as Turkey’s new Ambassador to the Republic of Angola.
These appointments reflect Turkey’s ongoing efforts to realign its diplomatic corps in line with evolving foreign policy priorities. The Presidency did not issue additional commentary on the strategic rationale behind the rotations, though such moves are typically tied to regional engagements, performance evaluations, or administrative restructuring within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For the public, the Official Gazette remains the authoritative source for verifying the validity and effective date of all presidential decrees and administrative decisions in Turkey. The Gazette’s digital platform, accessible via its official mobile application on both Android and iOS platforms, provides real-time access to published rulings, allowing citizens and professionals to monitor governmental changes as they occur.
As of this publication, no further updates have been issued regarding the reassignment of the recalled ambassadors or any additional personnel changes within the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Observers note that future Gazette editions may contain follow-up decisions concerning the next steps for officials such as Ertan Yalçın and Makbule Başak Yalçın, who are currently awaiting new assignments.
Stay informed about official Turkish government appointments and policy updates by consulting the Republic of Turkey’s Official Gazette directly. Share this overview to aid others understand how leadership transitions are documented and implemented within Turkey’s public administration.