Kyrgyzstan: Authorities announce nightly curfew in Bishkek as of October 10 /update 6

Event

The Kyrgyz government has announced that a nightly 21:00 - 05:00 (local time) curfew will be in place in the capital Bishkek as of Saturday, October 10, as part of emergency measures in response to ongoing anti-government unrest. Reports indicate that such measures, which also include security checkpoints being set-up in and around the capital and a state of emergency, will likely be in place until at least October 21. Military personnel may also be deployed to oversee the demonstrations. 

Separately, rallies continued outside of the parliament building in Bishkek on Saturday. Reportedly, around 1000 supporters of the new Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov gathered in the early afternoon, although the rally seemingly remained peaceful. 

On Friday, October 9, there were unconfirmed reports of gunshots towards former president Almazbek Atambayev's vehicle as he was leaving the site of a rally in the capital.

Further clashes are possible in the coming hours and the widespread unrest looks set to continue over the near term, with little sign of resolution.

Context

Multiple opposition groups have publicly contested the results of the country's parliamentary election on Sunday, October 4, with only four of 16 registered parties having passed the seven percent vote-share threshold in order to gain seats in the legislature. Three of the four parties that were elected to the new parliament had close ties to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, and opposition groups have accused the government of vote-buying and intimidation during the election campaign, allegations which international monitors have stated are credible. Hundreds have reportedly been injured and at least one protester has died during mass protests following the election results, which included the seizure of a number of government buildings by various opposition factions.

On Tuesday, October 6, the results of the poll were subsequently annulled by the election commission and Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov resigned, but this has failed to placate opposition groups. Opposition groups have so far remained largely divided and are unable to agree on who would lead any provisional government.

Advice

Those in Kyrgyzstan are advised to monitor developments, avoid demonstrations and political gatherings, avoid discussing politically sensitive topics in public or via social media, and heed any directives issued by local authorities.