Kyrgyzstan In Chaos

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov is prepared to resign amid political chaos. (Wikimedia Commons)

Kyrgyzstan descended into chaos on October 6 when opposition groups seized control of Parliament and other government buildings over claims of fraudulent elections. The opposition also freed former Kyrgyzstani President Almazbek Atambayev and two former prime ministers from prison.

After first awarding the majority of seats to political parties backing Kyrgyzstani President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, the Central Electoral Commission annulled the election results amid the protests. The opposition maintained that the initial results prove electoral fraud, a claim supported by vote monitors from the Security and Cooperation in Europe, who cited credible allegations of vote-buying. 

As a result, around 20,000 protestors gathered on Monday in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The initially-peaceful protests turned violent after a small group attempted to break into the White House, which houses both Parliament and the presidential administration.  

Protestors eventually captured government buildings, looted numerous businesses, and attempted occupation of television channels, consequently cutting some broadcasts short. Police responded with water cannons, stun grades, and tear gas to disperse crowds. One person was killed and 1,000 were injured amidst the chaos. 

The protests resulted in massive political upheaval, with the Kryzgstani cabinet and Prime Minister all resigning. Additionally, multiple people claimed sole ownership of the same political positions: two rival politicians proclaimed themselves as the country’s prosecutor general while three candidates vied for the role of interim Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Jeenbekov announced he is prepared to resign once cabinet positions have been filled.

After a self-appointed council composed of politicians from 13 parties claimed “full responsibility for overcoming the current situation,” younger citizens staged a counter-protest. These progressive citizens believed the political system to be so corrupt and nepotistic that real reform was impossible so long as current political leaders held office. 

This is not the first time Kyrgyzstan faced political upheaval—in fact, revolutions recently toppled its presidencies in 2005 and 2010. Unlike these past revolutions, however, Colleen Wood of Foreign Policy argued that this week’s protests could actually create a stable democratic government free from the corruption and nepotism endemic within the current system. 

Significant developments in telecommunications technology greatly helped protestors mobilize online, with younger citizens now voicing specific grievances through formal party structures. Wood concluded that if the young protestors refuse “to recognize an interim government founded through backdoor deals, they have a chance to shape viable democratic institutions.”