Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has full power, and there is no conflict in the Kazakh elite, Nursultan Nazarbayev said in a special video message to the people of the republic. It was his first public appearance since the dramatic events of early January.
The state of emergency, introduced throughout Kazakhstan in connection with the highest level of terrorist threat on January 5, was lifted gradually, depending on the situation in a particular region. Nur-Sultan, the capital of the republic, is the last to emerge from the state of emergency. Kazakhstan is finally returning to its usual life, including political life. The main party of the country, Nur Otan, has begun preparations for an extraordinary congress. It is expected that the powers of the head of the party will be transferred from Nursultan Nazarbayev to the current president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Bauyrzhan Baibek, deputy chairman of the party, stressed that the change in leadership was planned and asked to refrain from speculation.
“Undoubtedly, the historical merits of the Elbasy from the older generation, who for 30 years strengthened the foundations of statehood, demarcated the borders and preserved the integrity of the country, will be adequately appreciated in national history. Of course, there are always mistakes that need to be corrected, this is the essence of the reforms announced our president,” Baibek said.
The first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, appeared in public for the first time since the riots. In a video message published, the Leader of the Nation refuted the rumors about a split within the Kazakh elites. Nazarbayev once again emphasized that it is the current head of state, Tokayev, who has full power:
“In 2019, I transferred the powers of the President to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, since then I have been a pensioner, and now I am on a well-deserved rest in the capital of Kazakhstan. I have not left anywhere. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has full power, he is the Chairman of the Council security, will soon be elected chairman of the Nur Otan party, so there is no conflict or confrontation within the country.”
The main task of President Tokayev now is to normalize the situation in the country – Alma-Ata still maintains a “red” level of terrorist threat. Round-the-clock patrolling will continue, checkpoints will not be removed. Tokayev called on the security forces not to relax:
“It is necessary to carry out a large amount of work to identify the persons who were participants or accomplices in all these events, this time. Secondly, it is necessary to identify sleeping cells of agents who have not gone anywhere. There is a lot of work on your line, especially, as they say, there are a lot of rubble.”
Two more victims of the January riots died in hospital today. This brings the total death toll to 227. 19 of them are police and military.
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