The political scientist noted that Astana and Tashkent are expressing concern
According to political scientist Arkadiy Dubnov, Kamchybek Tashiev, the former head of the State National Security Committee (GKNB), made the right decision in the context of the events that occurred since February 10.
“It has been two weeks since Sadyr Japarov became president after Tashiev's resignation. Now he has no obstacles to running for election again, regardless of competitors. The Constitutional Court confirmed the election date at the president's request,” Dubnov noted.
What has happened in a country where the real struggle for power has led to the expulsion of three out of five former presidents since the collapse of the USSR? The first president, Askar Akayev, found political asylum in Russia, the second — Kurmanbek Bakiyev — in Belarus, and the fourth — Almazbek Atambayev — fled to Spain. Only Roza Otunbayeva and Sooronbay Jeenbekov were able to remain peacefully in their homeland.
“The events of last week, which nearly shook Kyrgyzstan, can be considered necessary. Similar situations have already been observed in Soviet and post-Soviet history,” Dubnov believes, referring to the bloody events in Kazakhstan in January 2022.
Nevertheless, political confrontation in Kyrgyzstan did not erupt.
“Tashiev immediately agreed to his resignation. Despite expectations, he returned to Bishkek on February 13, receiving guarantees of safety from the authorities and asking his supporters not to organize mass protests. On February 15, he met with the president. According to sources, the meeting was quite cool, but Japarov stated that he and Tashiev ‘remain friends.’ At the same time, he added that the former head of national security ‘is not returning to public service and needs a rest.’ Two days later, on February 17, Tashiev flew abroad, presumably to Turkey, accompanied by several people. However, one of his close sports colleagues was not allowed to leave the country,” the political scientist added.
The reasons why the Colonel General, previously considered ready for decisive action, did not oppose the president may be related to the presence of compromising material on him or his poor health.
During the four days spent in Kyrgyzstan, Tashiev did not make any public statements or give interviews; journalists did not wait for the announced press conference. This can be considered a reasonable step; otherwise, he would have to explain the mass arrests and detentions of his subordinates, including high-ranking officials such as the head of the Bishkek National Security Department, Eldar Jakypbekov.
Suspicions of abuse of power and violation of the law appear serious. The media sphere also drew attention to the nicknames of some employees of the capital's department, such as “Vaseline” and “Licker.”
In these days, several ministers close to Tashiev were also dismissed. The speaker of parliament also resigned, and a new one was elected immediately. The latest high-profile dismissal was that of Osh mayor Jenishbek Toktorbaev, which is related to the fact that he was Tashiev's classmate.
Patient personnel changes in Kyrgyzstan, oriented towards the influence of the general, are occurring quite authoritatively. However, considering the current state of democratic institutions in the country, such perturbations may help avoid new upheavals in the region.
Neighboring countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have expressed concern about the ongoing events, and the presidents of these countries have held phone conversations with Japarov. The Kremlin has not yet shown a clear interest in the changes in Bishkek, except for the invitation of State Duma Speaker Volodin for a visit to Moscow for the new Kyrgyz colleague Mamataliyev,” Dubnov concluded.
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