Civil Society Flexes its Muscles
Civil Society Flexes its Muscles
August 14 marked the first anniversary of Kurmanbek Bakiev’s inauguration as Kyrgyz president. The occasion has prompted Citizens Against Corruption, a local non-government organisation, NGO, to address an open letter to the head of state containing several pointed questions relating to his campaign promises and the government’s ability to address the problems facing society.
The very fact such a letter has been sent to the president underlines the differences between the new and the old regimes, say analysts. Such an act would have been almost unthinkable under the administration of President Askar Akaev, which was swept from power in March 2005. The letter serves not only as a sign that the public is critical of the new government, but also as a public attempt to encourage the Kyrgyz electorate to hold the administration to account.
Analysts anticipate that the questions sent to the president will get a reply: the government will have to respond in some way because the letter very publicly outlined concerns that had been expressed in one form or another by almost all actors in the political process.
Observers point out that most of these complaints were voiced at demonstrations this spring, which united the political opposition and NGOs. Now, however, the opposition and the NGO sector are pursuing different aims.
In a political system in crisis, with political groupings greatly fragmented, even a popularly elected leader who enjoys great public confidence will rapidly begin to lose support.
Analysts predict that none of those juggling for primacy in the new government have the ability to bring the situation under control, at least in the near future. The roots of the problem lie in a systemic crisis, not in the personalities of either the president or the prime minister, or in the partnership between the two men.
The existence of a strong civil society is a good thing in itself, say experts, and offers an opportunity for democratic development in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, they note, this opportunity has yet to be seized by any of the participants in the process, who have confined themselves to statements and actions for public consumption.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
The very fact such a letter has been sent to the president underlines the differences between the new and the old regimes, say analysts. Such an act would have been almost unthinkable under the administration of President Askar Akaev, which was swept from power in March 2005. The letter serves not only as a sign that the public is critical of the new government, but also as a public attempt to encourage the Kyrgyz electorate to hold the administration to account.
Analysts anticipate that the questions sent to the president will get a reply: the government will have to respond in some way because the letter very publicly outlined concerns that had been expressed in one form or another by almost all actors in the political process.
Observers point out that most of these complaints were voiced at demonstrations this spring, which united the political opposition and NGOs. Now, however, the opposition and the NGO sector are pursuing different aims.
In a political system in crisis, with political groupings greatly fragmented, even a popularly elected leader who enjoys great public confidence will rapidly begin to lose support.
Analysts predict that none of those juggling for primacy in the new government have the ability to bring the situation under control, at least in the near future. The roots of the problem lie in a systemic crisis, not in the personalities of either the president or the prime minister, or in the partnership between the two men.
The existence of a strong civil society is a good thing in itself, say experts, and offers an opportunity for democratic development in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, they note, this opportunity has yet to be seized by any of the participants in the process, who have confined themselves to statements and actions for public consumption.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
