Rut or Renaissance? The aftermath of Kazakhstan’s most violent riots yet

Kazakhstan, with a population of only 20 million, has had a relatively uneventful recent history. Up until the riots in 2022 that ousted the president in power since its independence 30 years ago. Initially the product of pent-up frustration with the ineffective government, the demonstrations shook the young nation to the core and redefined Kazakh identity for the population. 

The First Spark 

These riots were termed ‘Qandy Qantar’ - Blood January in Kazakh - a reference to the nearly 250 dead and 4500 injured civilians. Beginning as a consequence of prices of liquefied petroleum gas rising by only 50 tenge (about 8 cents), the protests rapidly developed into a full-fledged national uproar that swept across every major city. While this may seem like an overreaction to a miniscule increase, the issue of the LPG prices became just the tip of the iceberg of the peoples’ generational resentment towards the government. 

A little bit of foundational history is essential. Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected in 1991 and served as the president until 2019, miraculously winning about 97 percent of voters 5 elections in a row. His parasitic family began taking advantage of their new power through shady privatizations and rampant nepotism. Kazakhstan became a country where reaching the top consisted of connections, not competence. Even after Kassym Jomart Tokayev (of the same political party) was elected as the new president, it was quite clear that the former president was still exercising his control over the country. 

Adding Fuel to the Fire 

Friends, nephews and sons-in-law of the president were embezzling billions of dollars out of the country, having lavish lifestyles in Switzerland and the UAE while families of 3 generations with one breadwinner were struggling to survive to the end of the month. Construction projects for large highways and supposedly swanky apartment complexes were ceasing left and right, after the investors magically disappeared with the funds. After 30 years of robbing the country dry, the straw that finally broke the camel’s back was the cost of gas. Protests quickly escalated into violent riots, whereby protesters would march through the main roads of cities, looting, stealing, shooting and setting cars on fire. A truck filled with explosives was driven into president’s palace. Demonstrators stormed a news center and demanded to be placed on live television, later even seizing the airport of the largest city, grounding dozens of flights. 

The Golden Road to Nowhere: hundreds of pillars sitting idly, once built to become a train link between the airport and the station, now a testament to the level of mismanagement and corruption. Source: Sputnik Казахстан 

To quell the unrest, the government switched off the internet and even landlines; the only way my family (then living abroad) found out was through a foreign news channel broadcasting the streets I had walked thousands of times. After around a week, the protests subsided, and the new president had denounced his predecessor before he vowed to create a true democracy. The people’s distrust of the government that failed them so many times was still present, yet it was clear that the country was moving into a new era. 

An artist’s depiction of the riots throughout the cities. Credit: @aikaartist on Instagram (permission was given by artist to add this image) 

In the Aftermath

2 years on, I’m glad to say that I’m extremely impressed with the rapid rate of development the country is currently undergoing. Before, entering the country was like entering a time capsule - nothing had ever changed. The Soviet style architecture, the billboards and the malls dutifully rested in their perpetual positions, against a backdrop of the Himalayas. Now, a plethora of coffee shops and restaurants with all sorts of delectable food are popping up in the places of nearly abandoned buildings. Playgrounds and malls are being constructed. New job positions are being opened up for the country’s large young workforce. Before the protests, most owners were being put out of business by small time officials finding minuscule violations (such as placing a fire extinguisher too far from the kitchen) and only leaving them alone after a bribe was made. This obviously deterred any prospective businesses from opening. This exponential growth is largely attributed to the ceasing of harassment of small businesses by corrupt government officials. 

New universities and schools are being opened for the young and quickly increasing generation. Construction projects that were left abandoned are being finished. Kazakhstan is beginning to diversify their economy by moving into the tourism sector - more Kazakhs are English-speaking, and more tourists, predominantly from China and India, are entering the country to see what the unique culture and landscape can offer. 

Image depicting a Dombra, a traditional Kazakh instrument.

A pleasant outcome is the dramatic boost of national pride in the past few years. Cultural landmarks, practices and natural parks are getting more visitors, new stores selling ethnic clothes are appearing. The country is marketing its eclectic yet unknown culture to tourists more, especially through its popular falcon exhibitions at the ski resorts and at the falconry schools. 

The Future of the Nation 

It is an astonishing feat to already change as much as one small country has in a few years, and more is coming. Through a nationwide referendum, a motion to build the country’s first ever nuclear reaction has been approved, shifting gears toward a greener future and creating more jobs for the youthful workforce. Will Kazakhstan continue to rise from the ashes of the riots, or will the country be slowly dragged into another financial disaster? Time will only tell. One thing is clear though - the Kazakh public have discovered the power their voices wield, and are no longer afraid to exercise it. 

Bibliography

Ashimbayev, D. (2024) КТО ЕСТЬ КТО В КАЗАХСТАНЕ, : | 04.01.24 | |. Available at: https://kazbio.info/?S=1176 (Accessed: 27 October 2024).  

Астана LRT: ‘золотая’ дорога в никуда - фото скандального долгостроя (2022) Sputnik Казахстан. Available at: https://ru.sputnik.kz/20210303/doroga-lrt-dolgostroy-foto-16358120.html (Accessed: 27 October 2024).