Bishkek:President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has announced that he received information about potential plans to incite ethnic conflict between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the southern region of the country ahead of the upcoming presidential election. This was conveyed in an address to the people of Kyrgyzstan.

According to 24.kg News Agency, Japarov stated that certain political forces are allegedly considering the possibility of provoking ethnic hatred to trigger mass unrest and disrupt the election process. While these discussions are reportedly in the preliminary stages, there is concern that such plans may be executed.

Japarov highlighted the risk of false rumors and provocative statements being used to ignite ethnic tensions. He reflected on the tragic interethnic clashes of 1990 and 2010, which resulted in the loss of lives among both Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities. The president emphasized that the instigators of such conflicts are driven by a desire for power, with ordinary citizens ultimately suffering the consequences.

The president called on Kyrgyzstanis, irrespective of their ethnicity, to resist provocations and urged the older generation to educate the youth about the serious repercussions of interethnic violence. Japarov assured the public that the state possesses adequate resources to quickly prevent and quell any mass unrest, though he acknowledged the potential for casualties if conflicts were to arise.

Japarov also linked the alleged plans for unrest to the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, suggesting that some politicians opposed to the government fear the completion of this transport project. He noted that previous attempts to incite public discontent over the railway project have failed, leading these forces to potentially exploit ethnic tensions instead.

While Japarov did not identify any specific organizers or provide concrete evidence of the provocations, he warned that law enforcement agencies have significant surveillance capabilities to detect illegal activities, including extensive camera networks across the country. He cautioned those considering inciting ethnic hatred about the legal repercussions they could face.

Citizens were urged to report any provocative actions or statements to local offices of the State Committee for National Security, the Interior Ministry, or local authorities. The president stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and harmony among all ethnic communities in Kyrgyzstan.

The next presidential election in Kyrgyzstan is scheduled for January 27, 2027. On November 10, Japarov submitted his application to the Central Election Commission to register as a self-nominated presidential candidate.