Political Leadership for Democratic Transition in Kyrgyzstan

Political Leadership for Democratic Transition in Kyrgyzstan

A Club de Madrid Initiative implemented with the financial support of the European Union

Bordering China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan is a small mountainous Central Asian nation comprised of a diverse population, including ethnic Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian, Dungan, Ukranian and Uigher communities, among others. It became an independent country with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992 and is a largely Muslim country with a significant Russian Orthodox community. Kyrgyzstan is a relatively poor country with an economy dependent on agriculture. Cotton, tobacco, wool and meat are the principle products, but the primary export and source of revenue for the country is gold.

Since independence, Kyrgyzstan has weathered various periods of political upheaval. In 2005, the so-called ‘Tulip Revolution’ brought down the 15 year incumbency of President Askar Akaev who had been in power since independence. However, his successor, President Kurmanbek Bakiev, soon began manipulating the political system and amassing political power for himself. In April 2010, the government of President Bakiev was overthrown in a wave of popular discontent, stemming from bad governance, corruption, and rising utility and energy prices. Rosa Otunbaeva, the former Foreign Minister, emerged as the head of a transitional government. In an effort to balance the distribution of powers, the provisional government re-drafted the constitution. The April 26^th draft of the constitution transformed Kyrgyzstan from a presidential system into a parliamentary republic. However, this difficult political transition has been complicated by the escalation of ethnic tensions in the country. In June 2010, violent unrest between ethnic Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks erupted in southern Kyrgyzstan, centered primarily in the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad. At least 470 people were killed and thousands more were injured. Over 2.000 homes were burned to the ground and hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee. There has been little justice undertaken to resolve the ‘June events’ and varying allegations, accusations and uncompensated grievances exist as a result and remain unsettled

This is a pivotal moment in the delicate democratic transition of Kyrgyzstan, and the Club de Madrid is engaged in a project to support Kyrgyzstan’s leadership in their efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and build a shared society. The 12-month project is in partnership with the Soros Foundation- Kyrgyzstan and the International Crisis Group. Funded by the European Commission, the “Political Leadership for Democratic Transition in Kyrgyzstan” mission will entail five visits by Club de Madrid Members to Kyrgyzstan and 3 missions to Brussels to consult and debrief European partners. The Club de Madrid’s members are uniquely positioned to provide independent, practical, strategic leadership experience to Kyrgyzstan’s leaders. Meetings are being held with members of the executive and legislative branches of government as well as local authorities, political parties and members of civil society and international organizations operating in the country. Thus far, meetings with key stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan have focused on the urgent need for an ethnic policy that will promote unity and help the nation move forward. The Club de Madrid is involved in promoting such cohesive and participative societies through its Shared Societies Project, an initiative that provides leaders with greater understanding of the benefits of social cohesion, as well as the incentives and means to act to advance it.

The Club de Madrid methodology for this initiative includes:

• peer-to-peer counsel;
• targeted consultations with key stakeholders;
• participation in informal joint consultations involving government leaders, political officials and broader elements of civil society;
• public outreach activities;
• specific reports with recommendations for each of the major issues addressed

The importance of a successful and peaceful democratic transition in Kyrgyzstan is essential to stability in the region and the hopes for true democracy to take hold in Central Asia. At the conclusion of this transitional period, Kyrgyzstan will represent the only parliamentary system in a region dominated by strong presidential governments. The country is also at the vanguard of establishing an inclusive multiethnic state in the region, with nearly 35% of the population composed of ethnic minorities.   The Club de Madrid is working to support these processes and ensure that all citizens are able to reap the benefits of a responsive, participative democracy.

Please click here to download the project´s One Pager in English and Russian