Kyrgyzstan

[Jedburgh]

ICG, 27 Apr 10: Kyrgyzstan: A Hollow Regime Collapses

A swift, violent rebellion swept into the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in early April 2010, sparked by anger at painful utility price increases and the corruption that was the defining characteristic of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s rule. In less than two days the president had fled. Some 85 people were killed and the centre of the capital was looted. The thirteen-member provisional government now faces a daunting series of challenges. Bakiyev leaves behind a bankrupt state hollowed out by corruption and crime. Economic failure and collapsing infrastructure have generated deep public resentment. If the provisional government moves fast to assert its power, the risks of major long-term violence are containable: there are no signs of extensive support for Bakiyev or of a North-South split. The speed with which the Bakiyev administration collapsed is a salutary reminder of the risks of overemphasising Western security concerns in framing policy towards the region.....

[davidbfpo]

Nine years nearly since a post in this thread!

The article is sub-titled:

A series of protests in Kyrgyzstan point to growing public feeling against China, one of the country’s biggest investors.

It ends with this; quite a curious way of handling a protest group on a sensitive subject in a 'stan':

These recent demonstrations in Bishkek have brought quick results. The migration service, police and state security committee have continued to cooperate with Kyrk Choro, taking the responsibility for managing anti-Chinese sentiment in the country.

Link:https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/anti-chinese-mood-growing-kyrgyzstan/?

Link for background:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyzstan