Sadyr Japarov

Sadyr Japarov represents a shift from old-school authoritarianism to new-wave methods of consolidating illiberal, autocratic power under the guise of popular support.

“The Kyrgyz political space has definitely become more constrained, more dangerous, more unpredictable, and less free.”

In prison (mostly) since 2019, the former Kyrgyz president was granted yet another retrial but also released and allowed to leave the country.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov met Mirziyoyev at the airport, welcoming him for a much anticipated state visit. 

It seems the Kyrgyz authorities are set on prosecuting the politicians and activists who stridently opposed the border deal with Uzbekistan, accusing them of coup-plotting.

They did so separately, however, given how contentious the agreement on the Kempir-Abad reservoir is in Kyrgyzstan.

At least 20 activists and political figures opposed to the deal have been detained in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov is providing much of the same old authoritarianism in new populist clothes.

A protocol reportedly signed over the weekend would see both vacate four border posts each but is shadowed by domestic critiques in Kyrgyzstan and a lack of clarity in Tajikistan.

Conflicts have intensified across the former Soviet Union, now in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It’s a worrying and disillusioning development for the region. 

The recent outbreak of hostilities on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border represents a dangerous escalation from previous tension and skirmishes to a distinct act of aggression.