Yearbook 2006
Kyrgyzstan. At the beginning of 2006, the People's
Coalition was formed by democratic forces, a group of
parties and voluntary organizations that included both
opponents and supporters of the country's new regime.
According to
CountryAAH, one of
the leaders was Omurbek Tekebajev who had left the
government side. The People's Coalition grew and reorganized
into the For Reform movement, which called for a
constitutional reform in which parliamentary rule would
replace the strong presidential power. But the government
seemed powerless and dissatisfaction grew.
In April, a big demonstration was held in the capital
Bishkek in protest against the corruption. The work of the
ministers was also criticized in a parliamentary resolution.
Almost the entire government filed its resignation, which
was not accepted by President Kurmanbek Bakijev. During the
year, a Constitutional Council worked on proposals for a new
constitution, which would transfer parts of the strong
presidential power to Parliament.
In November, large demonstrations were held, with the
opposition demanding President Bakijev's resignation. When
Parliament adopted the constitutional amendments, the
opposition canceled the protests. It was a unique political
development in Central Asia, where change is usually forced
through violent protests.
When Bakijev visited Beijing in June, Kyrgyzstan and
China agreed on cooperation in the fight against "terrorist
forces", aimed at the Uighur separatists who want to restore
East Turkestan, now ruled by China under the name Xinjiang.
In the politically troubled Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan
carried out raids in border areas during the summer along
with Uzbekistani security forces. The intention was to reach
radical Islamists, but among those killed there was a very
popular imam in the largest mosque at the border between
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
The contradictions between Parliament and the government
in December led to the resignation of the government. Prime
Minister Felix Kulov said the intention was to step up the
democratic process by making elections to Parliament.
A price conflict led to Uzbekistan temporarily suspending
its gas supplies to Kyrgyzstan, but in December negotiations
were agreed on an increase from $ 55 to $ 100 per m 3
of gas.
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