North-South Tensions Surface in Kyrgyzstan

In some cities, it is reported that some security forces have joined the opposition. The protesters supporting the opposition took control of the airports in the Osh and Jalalabad provinces, which they previously gained the control over some important government offices such as the governor’s office, the security department, the intelligence services, and the municipality building. In the last two days, approximately 30 people were wounded in the clashes. Four police officers, who were injured the other day (March 20), lost their lives yesterday. While the protesters set fire on some state buildings and, at least100 members of the security forces in Osh have joined the opposition. The opposition demands President Askar Akayev’s resignation, the cancellation of the two-round parliamentary elections, bringing forward the presidential election scheduled for October 30 to an earlier date and the resignation of other top level figures; and yesterday they signaled a willingness to participate in a presidential level dialogue. Leading the actions, Kyrgyzstan People’s Movement president and former Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev pointed out that the dialogue should not be read as "a step backward in the demands". Observers say that an opposition-governing power dialogue is inevitable; otherwise, the situation in the country would turn into chaos. Upon the latest developments, the police and some military units have sided with the people and it is viewed that these actions will change the direction in favor of the opposition in the future. With the surfacing of the crisis, a "conflict" between the south and north has evolved with the capital Bishkek in the north, and the south of the country, which is relatively poor.