Kazakhstan’s turmoil: What are the protests all about? | Kazakhstan

[ad_1]

Unrest continues in Kazakhstan, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on a Moscow-led security coalition to provide “peacekeepers” to help him regain control.

With mobile phone reception and internet outages in most parts of the country, it is difficult to obtain reliable figures on casualties, but there were violent clashes in Almaty and other cities. Tokayev promised a harsh crackdown and blamed the violence on “terrorists” trained abroad.

What makes the protesters angry?

The protests began over the weekend, sparked by rising fuel prices in the west of the country. It soon spread to other regions and turned into a public protest against corruption, poverty and inequality. Protesters are angry at Tokayev and philanthropist Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled Kazakhstan between independence in 1991 and 2019 and has remained powerful behind the scenes.

What are their demands?

The protesters want reform and improved living standards, but they are uncoordinated and do not have an overall leader. There are no strong opposition politicians and no clear alternative government in place, mainly because the authorities have not allowed any opposition policies in recent years.

Where is Nazarbayev now?

Nazarbayev has not spoken publicly since the protests began and there are rumors that he may have left the country. Demonstrators in one of the cities demolished a statue of him. His image as the “leader of the nation,” a cult of personality that had sprung up over the years, had largely collapsed in a matter of days.

What is the CSTO and why is it interfering?

The CSTO includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It is a mutual defense agreement but it is not intended for domestic issues. Perhaps that is why Tokayev portrayed the protests as the work of “terrorists” trained abroad, without giving any details.

How is Russia involved?

Kazakhstan shares a long border with Russia and has a large population of Russian origin. The decision to intervene the CSTO came as Russia demanded security talks with the United States on Ukraine and amid fears of Russian interference there. In the long run, the situation will be worrying for Vladimir Putin, who may have viewed the “Nazarbayev option” as a way to someday leave office without fear of reprisals.

what happened after that?

The situation is totally unpredictable, and with internet and phone outages in most parts of the country on Thursday, much remains unclear. With the protest mood not crushed and Tokayev issuing a stern speech, there is the potential for more violence.

[ad_2]