Protests in Kazakhstan: The ministerial cabinet resigns and a national emergency is declared due to protests over fuel price hikes

Kazakhstan declared a state of national emergency on Wednesday after protests against the rise in fuel prices that yesterday led to clashes with the police and attacks on government buildingsreported the public television of this central Asian country.

The Kazakh government had previously imposed a state of emergency only in Almaty, the country’s financial capital, as well as in Mangistau province and the administrative capital, Nur Sultan.

Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday promised a “firm” response to the protests in this former Soviet republic. TIt has also been reported that the internet and mobile phones were blocked during the day.

The state of emergency “restricts freedom of movement, including transportation,” and prohibits “mass events and family gatherings for births, weddings and wakes,” the reports say.

The state of emergency also introduces a curfew between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time.

Resignation of the ministerial cabinet

Hours before the declaration of a state of emergency, the Kazakh president accepted the resignation of his ministerial cabinet.

Tokáyev appointed the deputy prime minister, Aliján Smailov, whom he described as an “experienced economist” and a “qualified leader”, as acting prime minister of the Cabinet, who will continue to serve until the appointment of a new one.

The Kazakh leader thanked the former Prime Minister Askar Mamin, who today requested the resignation of the Cabinet, for the work carried out during almost three years at the head of the Government.

“During his performance, especially in times of a pandemic, he showed great responsibility and work capacity,” he said in a meeting with members of the outgoing government.

However, Tokáyev He directly blamed the Government for the “difficult economic-political and social situation created in the country”, and in particular, the Ministry of Energy, as well as the companies KazMunayGaz and Kazajgaz, reported the press service of the Presidency.

Background to the protests

The protests broke out on January 2 after the rise in the price of liquefied gas, the country’s main automotive fuel, which went from being worth 60 tenge per liter ($ 0.14) to worth 120 tenge per liter ($ 0.28) .

The initially economic claims of the protests have gradually turned into politics, with the main demand to put an end to the “regime of Nursultan Nazarbayev”, who was president of the country until March 2019, who is accused of still maintaining political power in Kazakhstan. the shadow of the current president.

The situation in the country, and especially in Almaty, where the biggest unrest is taking place, is extremely tense, causing serious damage, both human and material.

The Kazakh President himself admitted that “there are dead and wounded”, although he did not offer any figure, while the local administration stated that more than 500 people had suffered injuries, in addition to extensive damage to property and vehicles.

Tokáyev warned about “the high level of organization” of the participants in the riots that led to the seizure and fire of the Government headquarters and the presidential residence in Almaty in hinted at the possibility that they were guided by “external forces.”

According to local media, the protesters, many of whom carry firearms, They continue to destroy the president’s residence in this city, after the police left the premises.

In the city center, where the Police department was also seized, dozens of cars can be seen set on fire by protesters, including police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines. (I)

With information from AFP and EFE