Democracy News

Kyrgyz Opposition Assumes Control amid Upheaval
April 9, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell | Printer Friendly

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev is maintaining his claim as head of the country’s government days after opposition protests in the capital of Bishkek forced him to flee the presidential palace, according to CNN.  Clashes between protestors and government forces have resulted in over 75 deaths and hundreds of injuries since Wednesday.

Opposition protests of Bakiev’s rule have been growing in frequency over the past several months, buoyed by charges of incompetence and nepotism.  The most recent outburst began in the northern city of Talas, where utility rates increased sharply after the president sold public utilities to friends and associates, reports the Washington Post.

Hints that the protests would soon spread to the capital prompted the government to arrest a number of opposition leaders, including Almazbek Atambaev and Omurbek Tekebaev of the main opposition Ata-Meten party.  The arrests caused an immediate and violent backlash, during which opposition leaders took control of the state apparatus and established an interim government.

Roza Otunbayeva, a former foreign minister and the country’s interim leader, confirmed that Bakiev had been driven from office. "We must restore a lot of things that have been wrongly ruled," said Otunbayeva.  "The new government would like to locate [Bakiev] to negotiate the terms of his resignation," she said, adding that Bakiev is trying to consolidate his supporters to help restore his power.  Opposition leaders vowed not to let Bakiev return to power, according to the New York Times.

Several opposition leaders, including Otunbayeva, were also instrumental in the “Tulip Revolution” in 2005 which brought Bakiev to power.  That change in government, which earned Kyrgyzstan its reputation as an “island of democracy,” faltered as the government failed to live up to expectations.  “Kyrgyzstan now has a unique chance to try to build a democracy for the second time,” said businessman Ravil Bikeyev, “The first time, we failed, and Bakiev usurped all the power,” Mr. Bikeyev said.

Opposition leaders have called for President Bakiev to sign a formal resignation leader and offered safe passage into exile, but the president has thus far declined, according to the New York Times.  The president released a statement from the country’s south, where he still enjoys popular support, saying he was, "confident that those who are attempting to change the authority in the country should act strictly within the framework of law and according to the existing constitution.”

"Realizing my responsibilities as president of the Kyrgyz republic,” he continued, “I am confident the country where the government comes to power through blood can lose its statehood. I am urging the instigators of the riots to think again. I am stating that as president I did not abandon my duties and I am not abandoning my duties. Irresponsible actions of the opposition could only cause more escalation of tensions."
The Russian government was quick to recognize the interim government’s legitimacy, but U.S. officials have called only for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Sources:

CNN – Kyrgyz President Says he won’t Resign

NY Times – Kyrgyzstan President is Offered Passage from Country

NY Times – Upheaval in Kyrgyzstan could Imperil Key U.S. Base

RFL – Further Demonstrations in Kyrgyzstan

Foreign Policy – Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Analog Revolution’

Washington Post – Out of Kyrgyzstan’s Chaos, Another Chance for Democracy

For previous news on Kyrgyzstan, please see:
http://www.ccd21.org/news/asia/kyrgyzstan_protests.html