One of the main reasons for the conflict on the state border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is the violation of agreements and constant provocations by Kyrgyzstan’s leadership in order to protect their power. That is, the Kyrgyz side does not want a peaceful solution to the problem and provokes Tajikistan to open military conflict in every possible way.
Another reason that hinders resolution of this problem is existence of peculiar system of dual power in Kyrgyzstan, headed by the president of this country S. Japarov and the head of State committee on national security (SNSC) Kamchibek Tashiev. The attitude of the Kyrgyz leadership to issues of joint border is not constructive. Analysis and observations show that such inhuman actions of the above-mentioned political forces can be committed in order to preserve their power. Given the lack of a unified position and joint coordination between these two leaders and other competent authorities of Kyrgyzstan on the issue of the border dispute between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, we often observe non-compliance or open violations of previously reached agreements, which is due to the irresponsibility and instability of the Kyrgyz side in fulfillment of the obligations assumed. In addition, this incomplete state structure and power structures of Kyrgyzstan significantly increases the risk of interference by third parties in this conflict. This situation poses a real threat not only to the security of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, but also to the security of the Central Asian region, and such a situation could happen at any time to other countries in the region.
Another reason for the provocations and organization of the conflict on the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border is the current authorities of Kyrgyzstan and the criminal members of this system. By organizing such a conflict, the current authorities of Kyrgyzstan are trying to divert the attention of civil society of Kyrgyzstan from the socio-economic problems of the country and the criminal and corrupt actions of the current government, and continue their incompetence, lawlessness, irresponsibility and criminal activity, and avoid criminal responsibility under the law, as well as refrain from political debate and reporting to institutions and civil society activists.
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan should not forget that just recently Sadyr Japarov was unable to recover from public discontent over the illegal sale of gold worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The brother of the Kyrgyz president was also involved in this vicious circle. After a series of failed attempts to justify himself to the public, Sadyr Japarov resorted to his favorite form of distraction — an armed conflict with Tajikistan, calling our country the enemy.
Everyone knows that not so long ago the top political leadership of Kyrgyzstan announced its intention to not comply interstate protocols signed with Tajikistan unilaterally.
It should be said that nonobservance of protocols, disrespect and open ignoring of political and diplomatic negotiations is alarming and once again confirms the original intentions of the political leadership of Kyrgyzstan. We consider it necessary to remind the Kyrgyz side of the main principle of international law — «Pacta sunt servanda», which means, «agreements must be obeyed». This principle is also included in the UN Charter, which must be observed by all UN member states.
It must be noted that Kyrgyzstan regularly provokes the Tajik side, breaks promises and agreements reached, and behaves irresponsibly and incompetently. Of course, in the process of destabilizing the situation on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border and in the region as a whole, we can see also the hand of third party.
The Republic of Tajikistan has always advocated a peaceful resolution of all complex issues. The peace-loving policy of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the esteemed Emomali Rahmon, is a clear confirmation of these statements. As always, Tajikistan, as a peace-loving country, offered to resolve the conflict through negotiations. But the Kyrgyz side deliberately ignored such a mechanism, which indicates Kyrgyzstan’s alternative plans — an armed conflict.
This time, on September 14-17, 2022 the Kyrgyz side, in violation of all previously made agreements, in all border crossings, hostile and treacherous attacked border objects, civilians and houses of Tajik people, which led to the death of people and property. On the holy day of Friday, during Friday prayers and requiem, when civilians were bidding farewell to their loved ones and relatives, these two murderers and aggressors, Sadyr Japarov and Kamchibek Tashiyev, ordered the bombing of Tajik civilians with drones. As a result of such anti-Muslim actions dozens of citizens of Tajikistan were killed and seriously wounded.
According to the press center of the border troops of the SCNS of the Republic of Tajikistan, the efforts of the Tajik side to stabilize the situation on the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border line until September 16, 2022 failed because the Kyrgyz side continued shelling Tajikistan territory and refused to resolve the matter through negotiations. «Twice the Kyrgyz military responded to the unilateral ceasefire of the Republic of Tajikistan with intense fire from all kinds of weapons from the settlements.
In fact, this time too, Kyrgyz border guards rejected the proposals of the Tajik side and fired without interruption at various infrastructure facilities of the Republic of Tajikistan, including border outposts and settlements, with all kinds of weapons.
As a result of the armed attack by Kyrgyz aggressors, several citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan were killed and dozens of people were wounded and a large number of residential houses, border posts and other facilities and infrastructure of the Republic of Tajikistan were burned.
It should be emphasized that the use of armed force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State by the aggressor Kyrgyzstan against the Republic of Tajikistan is not in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other international agreements and documents and is considered an act of aggression. The actions of armed groups or persons using armed force against another State and of a serious nature are also considered an act of aggression under international law.
Therefore, in response to the aggression of the border troops of the Kyrgyz Republic against the Republic of Tajikistan and as a result of the above-mentioned actions of the local armed population of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Tajik side to improve its defensive position and protect its borders was forced to give a rapid response to the forces of the aggressor.
Thus, the events of September 14-17, 2022 on the border of the Republic of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan show that the actions of the Republic of Tajikistan are a forced response to the cessation of offensive military actions of the aggressor military men of Kyrgyzstan.
According to the press center of the border troops of SCNS of the Republic of Tajikistan, starting from September 16 of this year, regardless of the meeting of the heads of the first law enforcement structures and declaration of ceasefire from 14:30 on September 16, after only one hour and a half Kyrgyz aggressors renewed firing of groups of weapons and military equipment towards Ovchi Kalaach Bobojon of Gafurov region, Vorukh and Chorkukh of Isfara city.
The Kyrgyz side also deployed additional forces and equipment from the center of Botken district of Kyrgyzstan to the border regions.
It is disturbing that the Kyrgyz side has attacked civilian houses and civilian facilities in Tajikistan using attack helicopters and drones.
We recall once again that Tajikistan has always been an initiator and supporter of resolving any border dispute through political and diplomatic dialogue, without classifying neighboring states as enemy forces. We hope that the Kyrgyz side will abandon its inhumane policy and remain faithful to the good traditions of neighborliness.
Muhammadzoda Parviz Abdurahmon,
Doctor of Political Sciences, Deputy
Director of the Center for Strategic Studies
under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan
