Question:
("...Earlier 'today,' Friday, the Kyrgyz parliament approved the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and lifted the state of emergency declared a week ago in the capital, Bishkek... Yeni Safak Arabic, 2020/10/16"). The Kyrgyz capital had witnessed violent protests, and protesters seized government headquarters demanding the removal of the pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, which they achieved... What is the reality of what is happening in Kyrgyzstan? Is Russian influence being ousted from this Islamic country? Is there a role for America in this conflict? May Allah reward you with goodness.
Answer:
To clarify the answer and reveal the reality of what is happening in Kyrgyzstan, the following must be explained:
First: The General Situation in Kyrgyzstan:
Kyrgyzia or Kyrgyzstan is one of the Islamic countries in Central Asia. Its borders today connect with China from the side of East Turkestan, in addition to other Islamic Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan has been under Russian Tsarist occupation since 1876. Several revolutions against the Russian occupation took place, but Russia managed to abort them. It then became a republic within the Soviet Union, meaning it was ruled directly from Moscow from 1876 until 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed and Kyrgyzstan declared its independence. However, its political class had loyalty to Russia ingrained in its very core; thus, Russia maintained significant influence there after independence.
Since its independence, Kyrgyzstan has been ruled by leaders of the Communist Party after they changed their masks and established parties under various names. These leaders took orders directly from Moscow. However, Russia's period of weakness during the nineties and its internal focus allowed America some access to these politicians. During the surge of the Neoconservatives during the era of George W. Bush and America's declaration of war on Islam, launching American wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, America managed to penetrate Central Asia and began weaving relations with its rulers and political forces. Within this framework, it established the Manas Air Base near the capital, Bishkek, to assist the US military in its war against Afghanistan.
The period of America being bogged down in the Iraqi quagmire between 2003 and 2009 coincided with a return of some vitality to the Russian government after Vladimir Putin took the reins of power in Moscow. Consequently, America was forced in 2014 to dismantle its "Manas" military base near Bishkek. In contrast, Russia strengthened its military base in Kyrgyzstan, which it had established in 2003. In 2015, Kyrgyzstan canceled its agreement with America. (The Kyrgyz Prime Minister, Temir Sariyev, ordered his government to cancel the bilateral agreement concluded in 1993 with the United States. The government said in a statement that the agreement would no longer be effective as of next August 20. Al Jazeera Net, 2015/7/22). Thus, Russia succeeded in completely removing American influence from Kyrgyzstan. Russia had also included Kyrgyzstan in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which it founded on the ruins of the Soviet Union in 1992. Kyrgyzstan remained a member even during periods of American influence in Bishkek. It also included it in the Eurasian Economic Union almost since its founding in 2014.
On the local level, the political class in Kyrgyzstan—as in most countries that gained independence due to the breakup of the Soviet Union—is characterized by extreme corruption. Competition for power quickly turns into a fierce struggle for the competitors to feast on the nation's wealth. In the process, any concepts of guardianship or caretaking for the people's affairs are absent, leaving the people wandering without a guardian. Because the depth of corruption is so great, the people of Kyrgyzstan revolted in 2005 against President Akayev, who had ruled since independence, and he fled to Russia. They revolted again in 2010 against President Bakiyev in a wave of overwhelming anger accompanied by violence that claimed dozens of lives, ending in a coup by security forces against the president, who fled to the south of the country and then left for Kazakhstan. Otunbayeva was then installed as the interim president of the country.
Although Russia was fueling the situation against Islam and Muslims in Central Asia—using rulers raised in the Soviet era as its tools—Islamic thought began to spread anew in Kyrgyzstan shortly before and after independence. Hizb ut Tahrir was active, strongly calling for ruling by Islam and the establishment of the Islamic Khilafah. Its activity was notable, especially in the southern regions, which are geographically part of the Fergana Valley. This occurred despite the fact that the authorities in Kyrgyzstan—directed by Russia, which is hateful toward Islam, similar to the tyrant of Uzbekistan and the rest of the Central Asian countries—faced the Party's activity with severe repression. Nevertheless, Islam in Kyrgyzstan still has a remarkable influence in many areas despite the intense attack against it by Russia and its followers.
Second: The Recent Disturbances in the Capital, Bishkek:
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who has ruled the country since 2017, planned to obtain a majority in the recent parliamentary elections to enable him to amend the constitution so he could run again after his constitutional term ended, as the constitution stipulates only a single six-year presidential term. Therefore, a landslide victory was announced for the parties loyal to and close to the president in the parliamentary elections on 2020/10/4. Only four out of 16 parties managed to cross the parliamentary threshold (7% of the votes). This meant the new parliament (120 members) was supposed to be formed, according to Jeenbekov's plan, by parties loyal to and close to him. (The Central Election Commission in Kyrgyzstan announced that 4 out of 16 political parties participating in the elections succeeded in entering the new 120-seat parliament, leading supporters of the 12 unregistered parties to protest the results. Daily Sabah Turkish, 2020/10/6). This plan suppressed the political rights of other parties that did not succeed. (The 12 losing parties issued a joint declaration saying they do not recognize the election results... TRT Arabic, 2020/10/6).
Thus, supporters of the political parties rejecting the election results flocked since the early morning hours to Ala-Too Square and the vicinity of the Prime Minister's headquarters. Then, these angry crowds began attacking and seizing government buildings. They indeed seized the parliament building and the presidential administration. Some crowds also stormed prisons and released specific detainees. The National Security Committee headquarters in the capital, Bishkek, was attacked, and former President Atambayev, who was in a cell serving an 11-year sentence on corruption charges, was released. Sadyr Japarov was also released, and the court rushed to acquit him of the charge of hostage-taking in 2013, the charge for which he was imprisoned. Parallel to the capital, massive popular marches broke out in regional centers denouncing the government and demanding the president step down. In the southern regions, where the president hails from, some marches were launched in his support, but they were not at the level of those demanding his removal.
The wave of protests was so overwhelming that it terrified the state. The Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament submitted their resignations, as did the heads of some regions. President Jeenbekov disappeared, and with him, the security services vanished from the streets. The president began issuing statements from a hidden location via the internet, announcing that he had asked the security services not to confront the protesters. He accused the opposition of a coup and seizing power, declared his readiness for a compromise, and asked the Central Election Commission to investigate violations and cancel the results if necessary, in an indication of the severity and strength of the protests against him. (Jeenbekov called on political parties to be patient, addressing the youth: "You have shown that the value of Kyrgyzstan is greater than the struggle for power, through action, not words. Our goal is to ensure peace and order in our country. I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis through joint efforts." He added: "I thank the youth who have not ceased to carry out their responsibilities in the country." AR Haberler.com, 2020/10/7).
The Central Election Commission then announced the cancellation of the election results. Opposition parties formed the Coordination Council of Opposition Forces, which appointed Sadyr Japarov as the new Prime Minister during an emergency session of parliament held in a hotel in the capital, Bishkek—he being the one the opposition had freed from prison. (Sadyr Japarov was appointed as the new head of government following a vote during an emergency session, replacing former Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov who resigned. It added that the current parliament will continue to work until a new parliament is elected. RT, 2020/10/7) ... (Today, Wednesday, more than 80 out of 120 deputies attended an extraordinary session of parliament during which they voted to approve Japarov's appointment to the position along with his proposed government. Then Jeenbekov signed a decree confirming Japarov's appointment as Prime Minister alongside his government, according to a statement from the presidency... Al-Mayadeen, 2020/10/14).
("...Earlier 'today,' Friday, the Kyrgyz parliament approved the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and abolished the state of emergency declared a week ago in the capital, Bishkek. The session, during which the president's resignation and the abolition of the emergency were unanimously approved, was attended by Jeenbekov, Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov, and Parliament Speaker Kanat Isaev. Before the vote, Jeenbekov delivered his final speech to parliament members, mentioning that his resignation came to ensure peace in the country and prevent social division... Yeni Safak Arabic, 2020/10/16)... Thus, (Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov consolidated his power after the powers of the president were transferred to him following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, "which he submitted" yesterday, and he promised to maintain the country's foreign policy. Japarov told parliament today, Friday: "I thank God that the change of power was peaceful... I will do my best to maintain foreign policy and other important directions"... Sputnik, 2020/10/16).
Third: Russian Influence in Kyrgyzstan:
Russian influence in Kyrgyzstan is considered strong and multifaceted. Russia built a military base in Kyrgyzstan during the same period America was building its base; therefore, Russian influence was never absent from Kyrgyzstan, even during the period when America was able to introduce some of its influence. Russia built a military base in 2003 (The Russian Kant Air Base in Kyrgyzstan was opened in October 2003 as an aviation component of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the CSTO. Its main tasks are air cover for the CSTO's ground operations. It is equipped with Su-25SM aircraft and Mi-8MTV helicopters... RT, 2019/3/28). On this same day, Thursday, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kyrgyz capital, Moscow and Bishkek signed a protocol introducing amendments to the agreement between the two countries regarding the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan. Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said: ("A number of agreements were signed, including a document amending the 2012 agreement regarding the status and conditions of the Russian military base's presence in Kyrgyzstan"... For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "The Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is an important factor for security and stability in Central Asia and contributes to Kyrgyzstan's defense capability." This base includes Sukhoi-25 attack aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters... Ad-Dustour Newspaper, 2019/03/28)... Thus, Kyrgyzstan's President Jeenbekov was in complete loyalty to Russia, coordinating with it in the CSTO and complying with everything it wanted, such as developing the military base.
However, Russia is deeply afraid that some opposition parties with contacts with America might take the reins of government in Bishkek, thereby breaking Russia's monopoly on influence there. Although Russia maintains relations with most opposition parties in Kyrgyzstan to ensure they are not hostile to Russia—and some of these parties are loyal to Russia and not outside its sphere of influence—Russia monitors this struggle for power, attempting to prevent the interference of external powers and holding the reins of the security apparatus that can intervene at critical moments. (Russian President Vladimir Putin said today, Wednesday, that Moscow is in contact with all parties to the conflict and hopes for a return to the democratic process soon, Al Jazeera Net, 2020/10/7)... What increases Russia's fear is that the forces loyal to it sometimes break into intense conflicts, as seen periodically and especially recently after President Sooronbay Jeenbekov's attempt to manipulate the election results to allow him to run again. This causes instability, especially if the manipulation is exposed, making it possible for American followers—even if relatively few—to exploit the situation and embarrass Russia.
The Russian position is originally against protests against rulers loyal to it; this is Russia's default position unless it is forced otherwise to protect its interests. It does not allow the situation to get out of its control. (The Kremlin considered today that this country is witnessing a state of chaos. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has obligations to prevent the total collapse of the situation in Kyrgyzstan. Al Jazeera Net, 2020/10/8). Russia, which controls the security services in Kyrgyzstan, does not allow parties with contacts with America and its ilk to lead the scene in Bishkek. It held the stick of President Jeenbekov, who threatened resignation without resigning until Russia decided based on its interests. For this reason, Russia sent the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration in the Kremlin, Dmitry Kozak, this week to hold talks with Jeenbekov and Japarov and study matters closely... (The Russian embassy said yesterday, Tuesday: "The primary role of the head of state" in ensuring the future development of Kyrgyzstan was emphasized during Kozak's visit... Al-Mayadeen, 2020/10/14), all to take the necessary measures. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Russia will intervene militarily directly, as it sees its followers as capable of holding the reins in Kyrgyzstan, and that the security forces are in its grip and at its beck and call if it wants to replace one president with another from its followers, especially since many of the political forces are its followers!
Now that the protests have increased, Russia saw "to calm the situation" that the President of Kyrgyzstan should agree to appoint Sadyr Japarov as Prime Minister, after the parliament voted to return him to power on 2020/10/14, following his recent release from prison at the hands of his supporters, where he was serving a sentence of more than 11 years... (Today, Wednesday, more than 80 out of 120 deputies attended an extraordinary session of parliament during which they voted to approve the appointment of Japarov to the position along with his proposed government. Then Jeenbekov signed a decree confirming the appointment of Japarov as Prime Minister along with his government, according to a statement from the presidency... Al-Mayadeen, 2020/10/14).
("...Earlier 'today,' Friday, the Kyrgyz parliament approved the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and abolished the state of emergency declared a week ago in the capital, Bishkek. The session, during which the resignation of the president and the abolition of the emergency were unanimously approved, was attended by Jeenbekov, Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov, and Parliament Speaker Kanat Isaev. Before the vote, Jeenbekov delivered his final speech to parliament members, mentioning that his resignation came to ensure peace in the country and prevent social division... Yeni Safak Arabic: 2020/10/16)... Thus, (Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov consolidated his power after the powers of the president were transferred to him following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, "which he submitted" yesterday, and he promised to maintain the country's foreign policy. Japarov told parliament today, Friday: "I thank God that the change of power was peaceful... I will do my best to maintain foreign policy and other important directions"... Sputnik, 2020/10/16).
Fourth: The American Role:
As for America, its position was clear in exploiting what happened in the elections to embarrass Russia and the Kyrgyz authorities. (The United States urged all parties in Kyrgyzstan to exercise restraint and find a peaceful solution, expressing concern over practices that marred the elections and led to major protests. A US State Department spokesperson told Agence France-Presse, "We call on all parties to renounce violence and resolve the current dispute over the elections by peaceful means." The US State Department noted that an observation mission supported by the OSCE "concluded there was credible information about vote-buying operations that marred the elections." Al Jazeera Net, 2020/10/7). This means that the new circumstances in Kyrgyzstan, characterized by political ambiguity, provide America with the appropriate atmosphere to penetrate this country. It undoubtedly has contacts with some opposition parties, and at the beginning of this year, it was accused of spending 60 million dollars in "cash" to support parliamentary candidates and associations for its followers to have some influence, in addition to other funds spent by the George Soros Foundation for the purpose of destabilizing a country dominated by Russian influence. All those funds were being spent without the knowledge of Jeenbekov's government, according to the Time Turk website, 2020/1/10.
America has followers in the Kyrgyz opposition, but they are a minority and ineffective in eliminating Russian influence in Kyrgyzstan to this day. However, they are active in exploiting any friction between Russia's followers competing for power. They almost succeeded had Russia not ordered Jeenbekov to resign to calm the situation, and then Russia works on appointing another of its men after elections held under its watch!
Fifth: Conclusion:
The struggle for power in Kyrgyzstan is primarily a local struggle due to the lack of maturity in the ruling mentality among those leading the political scene in this Muslim country. Because of this, disputes and conflicts break out, the essence of which is ethnic, regional, or tribal. Even if the opposition and loyalist parties use general names, experts distinguish their leanings such that they do not deviate from the ethnic, regional, or tribal essence. This struggle, in this state, is not intended to remove Russia's great influence from this small republic. Rather, Russia fears America's contacts with some opposition parties in light of the state of chaos that arose following the announcement of the parliamentary election results. It fears that America will again gain a foothold after Russia exerted its effort to remove America from Kyrgyzstan, thereby regaining influence with which it can work against Russia in Kyrgyzstan and its surroundings.
This will remain the state of Muslims in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere, where they are ruled by evil rulers who move the Ummah from one depth to another, caring only for their personal interests. They view ruling as a prize and do not possess any guardianship-based outlook toward the Ummah that installs them or remains silent about the installation of the Kaafir colonizer over them. This situation will remain until the Ummah and the strongest faction within it rise to expel these rulers, pull out the roots of the Kaafir colonizer from the Muslim lands, and build its state, the Khilafah State, on the basis of its Deen, and install a ruler who rules by what Allah has revealed, who will be a helper for a dignified life and a helper to Paradise, by Allah's permission.
يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ * وَأُخْرَى تُحِبُّونَهَا نَصْرٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. And [He will give you] another [favor] which you love - victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers." (As-Saff [61]: 12-13)
1st Rabi’ al-Awwal 1442 AH 10/18/2020 CE