President of Kyrgyzstan Leaves His Post
Today, on October 15, Sooronbay Zheenbekov, president of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan announced his resignation and called on the opposition leaders to stop violence and get their people out of the country’s capital. He also mentioned the risk of conflict between protesters and law enforcement officials.
According to Zheenbekov, the wave of aggression is still there, and protesters want him to leave his post promptly.
«Soldiers and other law enforcement forces are obliged to do everything they need to guard my official residence. It’s obvious that someone might be wounded or even killed. I am calling on both protesters and law enforcement forces to resist provocations. The key value for myself is peace in Kyrgyzstan, its territorial integrity, national unity and order. Nothing is more precious than every single life of my fellow citizens. I do not hang on to power,» he stated.
On October 14, the Kyrgyzstani parliament approved the new composition of the government and Zheenbekov signed all relevant papers. However, it didn’t help to stop political tensions.
«The territorial integrity and peace can’t be traded for power; it isn’t worth it. God bless our country and make peace on this soil!» Zheenbekov said.
Earlier, it was expected that the president might resign only after the next parliamentary elections. According to Tolganay Stamalieva, the official spokeswoman for Zheenbekov, on October 14 the president met with new Prime Minister Sadyr Zhaparov who has demanded Zheenbekov leave his post.
On October 4 there were parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan that ended in protests and clashes in Bishkek between various political parties’ supporters who disagreed with the election results.
On October 6, protesters managed to seize the parliament building where the president’s office is also located. They also broke free from prison several opposition leaders including Sadyr Zhaparov, founder of Mekenchil (The Patriot) party. Later this day, the Central Election Commission announced a cancellation of the results of the parliamentary elections.
