The political scientist noted the caution of Astana and Tashkent
Kamchybek Tashiev, who previously headed the GKNB, made a measured decision in light of the events that unfolded since February 10. This was reported by political scientist Arkadiy Dubnov on his social media.
Since President Sadyr Japarov began to perform his duties after Tashiev's resignation, two weeks have passed. This allows him to run for a second term without hindrance, regardless of who else decides to participate in the upcoming presidential elections. The Constitutional Court confirmed the voting date at the president's request.
What happened in a country where the struggle for power led to three out of five former presidents becoming exiles after the collapse of the Soviet Union? I remind you that the first president, Askar Akayev, found refuge in Russia, the second, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, in Belarus, and Almazbek Atambayev was forced to leave the country and seek shelter in Spain. At the same time, Roza Otunbayeva and Sooronbay Jeenbekov managed to remain in Kyrgyzstan without fear for their safety.
Arkadiy Dubnov suggests that the events of recent days, which probably did not "shake" Kyrgyzstan, were predetermined. He compared them to similar episodes in Soviet and post-Soviet history, mentioning, in particular, the bloody events in Kazakhstan in January 2022.
Nevertheless, there has been no confrontation between political forces in Kyrgyzstan.
Tashiev quickly agreed to his resignation. Contrary to many expectations, he returned to Bishkek on February 13, having received security guarantees from the authorities and previously asking his supporters not to hold noisy rallies upon his return. On February 15, he met with the president, although it is said that their meeting did not take place in a warm atmosphere. Nevertheless, Japarov stated that they remain friends, but Tashiev will not return to public service, as he needs to rest and take care of his health. Just two days later, on February 17, Tashiev left the country, reportedly heading to Turkey. He was accompanied by several people, while a close sports official of his was not allowed to leave the country. The reasons why the Colonel General, Hero of Kyrgyzstan, did not oppose the president's decisions may lie in the presence of serious compromising material against him, as well as in his poor health.
During the four days Tashiev spent in Kyrgyzstan, he made no public statements and did not give interviews, and the promised press conference did not take place. This was likely a reasonable decision; otherwise, Tashiev would have had to explain the reasons for the mass arrests and detentions of his subordinates from the security structure, including high-ranking officials such as the head of the Bishkek National Security Department, Eldar Jakypbekov.
The accusations of exceeding authority against him appear serious. The media sparked a stir with the emergence of nicknames for some employees of the capital's department, such as "Vaseline" and "Kisser".
During this time, several ministers close to Tashiev resigned. The speaker of parliament was also replaced, and the last notable dismissal was that of Osh mayor Jenishbek Toktorbaev, which is linked to the fact that he studied in the same class as Tashiev.
The rapid personnel purge in Kyrgyzstan, aimed at the influential general, is taking place through authoritarian methods. Nevertheless, under conditions where democratic institutions in the country have not yet functioned, the ongoing changes may help avoid new upheavals in the region.
Kyrgyzstan's neighbors, Astana and Tashkent, expressed their concern over the current events, and the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan held phone conversations with Japarov. The Kremlin has not yet shown a clear interest in the changes in Bishkek, except for an invitation sent by State Duma Speaker Volodin to the new Kyrgyz colleague Mamataliyev for a visit to Moscow," noted the political scientist.
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