2022 Kazakhstan protests

Former Majilis speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin seems to have lost power. 

In a recent interview, the Kazakh president again pushed back against those in Russia who say Moscow "saved" Kazakhstan in January.

The troubles of Zhanbolat Mamai make it clear that Kazakh authorities have little interest in genuine political competition.

Uzbekistan sent a second note to Kazakhstan about the Uzbek citizens who remain in detention after having been rounded up during the January unrest.

Insights from George Voloshin

Fears of continued instability and uncertainty over the government’s course of action may cause more people to decide to leave Kazakhstan.

Though smaller in scale, ongoing protests highlight the economic inequality that lies at the center of Kazakh discontent.

A great deal depends on how Kazakhstan recovers from the disorder and orients itself toward the changing international security terrain.

Officially, 227 people were killed in “Bloody January” and nearly 1,000 remain in detention. But what really happened?

“They fight among themselves for power, and ordinary people suffer.”

“Let us pay tribute to the historical merits of the first president… and leave possible miscalculations as a warning to the future leaders of our country," Tokayev said.

In asking Kazakhstan's rich to "pay their dues" Tokayev is addressing an aspect of public anger, but also might just be securing himself in power.