This problem is a result of institutional shortcomings and geographical segmentation.
Historians argue that the split between the north and south of Kyrgyzstan began to form only during the Soviet period. In the past, Kyrgyz people were not divided into southerners and northerners, as they were part of various states, such as the Kokand Khanate, the Bukhara Emirate, and the Russian and Chinese empires. With the establishment of a unified Kyrgyzstan in the form of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region, the division into south and north began, leading to the relocation of personnel between regions. In order to weaken the power of the manaps, the Bolsheviks started relocating southern manaps to the north and northern ones to the south, depriving them of support and influence. This practice continues to exist, as many believe that mixing the population can eliminate tribalism. However, the roots of the problem lie in the long process of forming the Kyrgyz nation, which is still not complete.
In modern socio-political discourse, the division into "North" and "South" is one of the most persistent themes. It is not just a geographical characteristic, but a complex socio-political phenomenon that has influenced personnel policy, resource distribution, and the perception of each other by Kyrgyz people for decades. Unlike interethnic conflicts, the issue of "northerners" and "southerners" is part of intra-ethnic regional patronage, which should not be perceived as enmity, but as a result of institutional failures and geographical fragmentation.
The first question: what is the nature of this phenomenon and why has patronage become a "protective mechanism" for Kyrgyz people?
To find solutions, it is necessary to abandon moralizing towards regional elites and recognize that patronage serves a certain function. In the context of weak state institutions in the 1990s and 2000s, regional ties became the only functioning social lift and guarantee of survival. A "local" official from the region was perceived not as a corrupt person, but as a protector who could help solve local problems.
The main idea here is that patronage functions as a protective mechanism in conditions of state inefficiency. With the development of impartial state institutions, the need for regional support will gradually disappear.
The second question: what is the strategy for overcoming this problem? Transitioning from slogans to real actions and competencies.
Experts propose a pragmatic approach to solving the problem that is not based on populism. The solution lies in creating conditions under which regional identity ceases to be an economic and political resource. This means that appointments should not be based on regional origin, which has been observed throughout the Soviet and post-Soviet periods.
a) It is important to create infrastructure that unites the nation. For example, building an alternative "North-South" road and new railway routes is not only a logistical task but also the foundation for psychological unity. Simplifying transport links between regions breaks down mental barriers. Reducing travel time between Osh and Bishkek and lowering transportation costs will lead to an increase in interregional marriages, trade, and tourism.
b) Economic decentralization and moving away from concentrating resources in Bishkek.
Competition for resources increases when they are concentrated in one place (e.g., the Chui Valley). Developing the economy in Batken, Talas, and Naryn will reduce pressure on the capital and eliminate the reasons for demands for "compensations" from elites. Creating jobs in the regions will also help reduce internal migration and improve the social situation in major cities.
c) Reforming personnel policy, transitioning to meritocracy.
The key idea is to replace the principle of patronage with the principle of competence. As long as civil service is viewed as a means of "feeding your own," the country will continue to fracture. Implementing transparent competitive procedures based on personal merit will help reduce the importance of the question "who are you related to?". When key positions are held by professionals rather than clan representatives, citizens will lose their sense of regional injustice.
The third aspect is establishing time frames.
In response to the question "How long should we wait for patronage sentiments to disappear?" the experience of other countries provides an honest answer: patronage will not completely disappear, as in any other country, but its acute form may fade away in 20-40 years (one to two generations).
· A change of elites is necessary. The political class that has grown in independent Kyrgyzstan and is integrated into global processes is less inclined to use "regional cards." For modern businessmen and IT specialists, outdated clan divisions become burdensome.
· The process of urbanization is actively ongoing, forming a "melting pot." Bishkek and other large cities act as natural neutralizers. The children of migrants, studying and working together, create a new, supra-regional identity.
The fourth aspect is demythologization and the creation of a unified cultural code.
The key issue is debunking the myth of "different peoples." The cultural, linguistic, and religious unity of Kyrgyzstanis constitutes about 95%. Differences in dialects or culinary traditions (e.g., methods of preparing pilaf) should be viewed not as reasons for division, but as a scope for cultural exchange.
In this context, domestic tourism and the creation of a common information field play an important role. When southerners visit Issyk-Kul and northerners visit the walnut forests of Arslanbob, regions begin to be perceived as a whole.
In conclusion,
the "North-South" problem in Kyrgyzstan is not solved through prohibitions and slogans, but by creating effective linking mechanisms: transport routes, fair economic opportunities, and impartial state institutions. The state must ensure equality for all, and then the need for "one's own" will disappear on its own. The question remains in the political will of the elites to start this process, rather than endlessly using regional division for their own interests.
Ilyas Kurmanov, PhD in Political Science
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