Last week, Kazakhstan’s government finally resigned amid nationwide protests over fuel prices. The unrest and resignation were part of a larger pattern in the country where ongoing corruption has been rampant and citizens are struggling to make ends meet on low wages from their jobs.
Kazakhstan has seen unrest in the past month, as fuel prices have risen to record levels. The government had to resign amid this and other issues.
MOSCOW— In response to widespread demonstrations in Kazakhstan over rising petrol costs, the country’s authoritarian cabinet resigned and the president declared a state of emergency, threatening to destabilize the oil-rich former Soviet republic.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan’s president, has imposed a two-week curfew on the western Mangistau region and Almaty, the country’s biggest city. The limits include a prohibition on large gatherings and mobility restrictions.
Mr. Tokayev urged his people to “show wisdom and not succumb to internal and foreign provocations, the exhilaration of rallies, and permissiveness” in a message posted on his website on Wednesday.
“Calls to assault civilian and military authorities’ properties are completely unlawful,” he stated. This is a felony, and legal action may be taken.”
Mr. Tokayev reassured residents that “power would not collapse,” adding that “rather than fighting, we need mutual trust and communication.”
He has appointed an interim prime minister and said that gasoline prices would be reduced to maintain stability.
On Wednesday, demonstrators rode a truck through Almaty’s streets.
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In an attempt to suppress the uproar, Almaty officials imposed a curfew.
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The rioting began on Sunday in the Mangistau district when the government abolished price controls on liquefied petroleum gas, the primary fuel for automobiles, causing prices to quadruple. The demonstrations extended throughout the nation, even to Almaty.
Cars were set on fire and police used tear gas as masses invaded the city center and attempted to attack government buildings, according to video uploaded on social media on Tuesday. Local Kazakh media and the Telegram message network reported shooting and the sound of stun grenades on Wednesday. Fires were also reported at Almaty’s presidential mansion and mayor’s office, according to local media.
The chief of Almaty’s police department, Kanat Taymerdenov, issued a message on Telegram urging citizens to stay at home and follow the curfew regulations, which he characterized as “steps implemented to quell pogroms, looting, and extremism.”
More than 120 vehicles were burnt as a consequence of provocateurs’ unlawful conduct, according to Mr. Taymerdenov, including 33 police cars, ambulances, and firetrucks. According to him, dozens of businesses were damaged, and more than 500 individuals were physically harmed.
He went on to say, “Our fundamental aim is to avoid further escalation of violence and extremism.”
On Wednesday evening, the situation worsened when the authorities took down or blocked access to a number of websites and social media platforms.
The news agency Orda.kz, which brands itself as Kazakhstan’s “new independent media,” announced on Telegram that Almaty’s airport had been taken by demonstrators and had been shut down.
According to Interfax, a Russian news agency reporting from Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s capital, Mr. Tokayev claimed on Kazakh official television station Khabar 24 that numerous people had been killed or wounded as a consequence of the violence in Almaty.
According to Almaty’s police chief, at least 120 cars were destroyed during the incident.
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Mr. Tokayev was quoted as adding, “There are dead and wounded, hordes of disruptive individuals are beating up and assaulting military, parading them nude through the streets, attacking women, and stealing stores.” “The situation jeopardizes the safety of all Almaty inhabitants.” This cannot be allowed to continue. Tensions are also high in a number of other cities,” he added.
Mr. Tokayev accused the protestors of plotting a coup for financial gain and pledged not to depart the country.
“No matter what happens, I’ll be in the capital,” he said on television, according to Interfax. “To be among my people is my constitutional obligation.” He said, “Together, we shall overcome this dark period in Kazakhstan’s history and emerge stronger.”
Mr. Tokayev, who previously served as prime minister and speaker of the senate, took office in June 2019 after being chosen to succeed longtime President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had ruled Kazakhstan since the Soviet Union’s disintegration in 1991 and resigned in March 2019, triggering an unprecedented political transition.
Mr. Tokayev’s victory, according to local opponents, was undemocratic since other candidates were not given a fair chance. Many Kazakhs went to the streets in demonstrations that are still uncommon in Kazakhstan, as they felt more sidelined from decision-making.
Mr. Tokayev offered to listen to complaints by creating a forum for individuals who are dissatisfied with the country’s political system and socioeconomic concerns.
However, other political observers claim that although the government has had ideas about how to restructure the nation, it hasn’t always properly executed those plans in daily life, and that years of harsh authoritarian control have fostered profound distrust and pent-up need for change.
Mr. Tokayev and his predecessor, Mr. Nazarbayev, who has continued to wield political clout behind the scenes, enjoy the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has forged tight ties between Kazakhstan and Russia via a combined trade union and other strategic alliances.
The Kremlin cautioned against foreign involvement in its Central Asian ally’s uprising on Wednesday.
According to Russian official news agency RIA Novosti, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “We are certain that our Kazakh neighbors can freely address their own difficulties.”
“We stand for a peaceful settlement to all issues within the framework of the constitutional and legal field and discussion, not via street rioting and violations of laws,” Russia’s foreign ministry stated, adding that it was “closely watching the events in the fraternal neighboring nation.”
The White House was also keeping an eye on reports of demonstrations in Kazakhstan, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who said the administration backed “calls for calm, for protestors to express themselves peacefully, and for authorities to show restraint.”
She scoffed at what she called “some insane Russian assertions” that the US was to blame for the turmoil.
“Let me just take this moment to express that this is completely untrue and definitely part of the typical Russian disinformation playbook that we’ve seen a lot of in recent years,” she added.
Ann M. Simmons can be reached at [email protected]
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