Kyrgyzstan: President declares state of emergency in Bishkek October 9 /update 4

Event

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in Bishkek on Friday, October 9, amid political unrest following the recent parliamentary election. The state of emergency will be in effect from 20:00 (local time) on Friday, through to 08:00 on October 21 and includes tighter security restrictions and a curfew in the capital. The exact curfew timings are not clear at this stage. The president also announced on Friday that he was willing to resign once a new cabinet was appointed.

A heightened security presence is expected under the state of emergency, with increased checkpoints and stops and searches likely. Further unrest is likely to continue in the capital and across Kyrgyzstan in the near term.

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.