Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that the government will not fall amidst ongoing protests in major cities, including the capital Almaty, where a crowd attempted to storm the mayor’s office. Tokayev addressed the nation in a video message, reiterating that calls to attack government and military offices are illegal and urging dialogue rather than conflict. The government had earlier announced the removal of price caps on liquefied petroleum gas, which led to a surge in its price, sparking widespread protests. Many Kazakhs have converted their vehicles to run on LPG due to the previously capped prices, but the government argued that the low price was unsustainable and lifted the caps on January 1st.
The price spike has resulted in thousands of people taking to the streets, with rallies erupting in Zhanaozen, an oil hub, and other parts of surrounding Mangistau province and western Kazakhstan. Demonstrations have also spread to a worker camp used by sub-contractors of Kazakhstan’s largest oil producer, Tengizchevroil. Despite the unrest, the oil company has reported that its output has not been affected. In Almaty, police have used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters attempting to storm the mayor’s office.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Via Kassym-Jomart Tokayev/Twitter)
Public protests are illegal in Kazakhstan unless organizers file a notice in advance, and the government has faced no political opposition in parliament. Tokayev, the hand-picked successor of Soviet-era Communist boss Nursultan Nazarbayev, has urged protesters to behave responsibly and has announced a government meeting to discuss their demands. The government has since restored a price cap on LPG in Mangistau province, effective immediately. With tensions rising, the Kazakh government is determined to maintain order and restore stability in the face of unusual and widespread protests.
