After his election as Kyrgyzstan’s president in October 2017, Sooronbai Jeenbekov inherited an economically uncertain state, which has failed to address more than twenty years of misrule despite emerging from two episodes of upheaval. Central Asia’s only nominal parliamentary democracy, Kyrgyzstan is divided along ethnic and regional lines, deeply corrupt and facing religious radicalisation in absence of a strong state. Crisis Group monitors ethnic and political tensions as well as wider regional relations.
The inauguration of Kyrgyzstan’s new president on 24 November is a tribute to the country’s parliamentary democracy. But to overcome continued vulnerability, Sooronbai Jeenbekov must manage powerful southern elites, define the role of religion in society and spearhead reconciliation with Central Asian neighbours Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Violence flared in Batken region on Kyrgyz-Tajik border amid stepped-up diplomatic efforts to resolve local tensions. After 8 May clashes on Kyrgyz-Tajik border, violence erupted again in Batken region on border as unknown assailants 2 June shot and wounded Kyrgyz national. Authorities 1 June said ethnic clashes in Sokh exclave inside Batken region late May injured 25 Kyrgyz nationals; Deputy PM Boronov and Uzbek PM Aripov same day met at border checkpoint to resolve tensions while Kyrgyz and Uzbek presidents engaged in talks by phone; Uzbek President Mirziyoyev 5 June visited area affected by violence. Parliament 25 June approved bill giving authorities power to shut down websites containing false information and to request customers’ data from internet service providers; NGO Committee to Protect Journalists same day said bill, which awaits presidential approval, would “mark a serious step toward curtailing press freedom”; hundreds of protesters in capital Bishkek 29 June called on President Jeenbekov to veto new legislation. Lawmakers 18 June absolved govt from allegations of involvement in billion-dollar money-laundering scheme uncovered in joint journalistic investigation in Nov 2019, which had sparked protests in Bishkek. Court 23 June sentenced former president Atambayev to 11 years and two months in prison for illegal release of high profile convicted criminal Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
The rapid rise of alternative interpretations of Islam, often at odds with the state’s concept of traditional identity, are being fueled in part by endemic corruption and perceptions of incompetency. The government must end economic marginalisation and improve inadequate institutions, or risk not just threats to internal security but also the resurfacing of ethnic tensions.
Kyrgyzstan’s relative stability belies the country’s brittle Central Asian neighbourhood, simmering ethnic tensions, religious extremism and political frustration. Russia, the West and China share interests here, creating a unique opportunity to work together for Kyrgyzstan’s democratic development during and after the upcoming 4 October parliamentary elections.
Growing tensions in the Ferghana Valley are exacerbated by disputes over shared water resources. To address this, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan urgently need to step back from using water or energy as a coercive tool and focus on reaching a series of modest, bilateral agreements, pending comprehensive resolution of this serious problem.
China’s influence is growing rapidly in Central Asia at a time when the region is looking increasingly unstable.
Kyrgyzstan’s disregard for its Uzbek community is pushing the ethnic minority to a breaking point.
Without prompt, genuine and exhaustive measures to address the damage done by the pogroms, Kyrgyzstan risks another round of terrible violence.
If mishandled, [Kyrgyzstan's] election could shatter [the country's] facade of democracy. A fragile stability is at stake.
Crisis Group’s Publications Officer Julie David de Lossy, formerly a freelance photographer of Central Asia, travels to Kyrgyzstan to take a look through her camera lens at the context of our conflict-prevention work.
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