Ahead of the presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan, political discussions and risks of social instability have intensified. Head of state Sadyr Japarov expressed concerns that destructive forces may attempt to provoke clashes in the south of the country.
Risks of interethnic conflicts
According to the president, the goal of provocateurs could be to incite discord between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. This may be aimed at disrupting the vote and creating obstacles for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
"Destructive political forces seek to organize mass unrest to disrupt voting and obstruct the completion of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction."
The president recalled the tragic events of 1990 and 2010 and urged the older generation to explain the consequences of such discord to the youth. To monitor the situation, law enforcement agencies are using a video surveillance system.
Criticism directed at Kamchybek Tashiev
Parallel to this, a shift in the balance of power is being discussed in the political arena. Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Omurbek Suvanaliev spoke regarding the situation surrounding former GKNB Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev.
Suvanaliev noted that Tashiev found himself in a vulnerable position after losing his executive powers. The former Minister of Internal Affairs also criticized the previously existing "two friends institute" system, in which primary powers were concentrated in the hands of the intelligence chief.
In particular, Suvanaliev pointed to the need for strict accountability within the campaign to return assets to the budget.
