Akayev’s Hometown in Kyrgyzstan Remains Loyal to Former President’s Family

Kemin, a village in northeastern Kyrgyzstan that is former president Askar Akayev's hometown, remains a bastion of support for the country's old order. But with Akayev now living in exile outside Moscow, Kemin has gone from a privileged place to a political ghost town.

Just weeks ago – after the first round of voting in the country's parliamentary election -- it appeared as though Kemin would retain its vaunted status for years to come, as Aidar Akayev, the president's son, had been elected to represent the district in parliament. However, the younger Akayev has kept a low profile since the March 24 revolution and has not taken up his parliamentary seat, even though Kyrgyzstan's provisional government recognized the results of most parliamentary election races. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. As a result, Kemin currently lacks legislative representation in Bishkek.

Relics of the recent past remain in Kemin. On the main street, a massive billboard, featuring the former president wearing a traditional Kyrgyz felt hat and smiling benignly, hangs untouched. The revolutionary fever that engulfed southern Kyrgyzstan in early March and later swept Askar Akayev from power in Bishkek later the same month, bypassed Kemin.

Saalat Sarmanova, first vice head of Kemin administration, explained that the only demonstration held in Kemin - a pro-Akayev rally on March 26 -- was peaceful. Sitting in her large office on the third floor of the town's administration building, she admitted the district may have to hold another election to find a replacement for Aidar, but added that he was still their legitimate representative, with a moral and legal obligation to fulfill his civic duty.

"Aidar Akayev is not here. He should come back because he is our elected representative. Maybe he has left for good and will not come back. Maybe we will have to have more elections. But why shouldn't he come back? He was elected by the people," she said.

On April 14, Bermet Akayeva, the former president's daughter and Aidar's brother, appeared in parliament, intent on representing Bishkek's university district. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Despite the recent upheaval, Bermet maintained that did not "expect any problem with the people." She also indicated that Aidar would also return soon.

In addition to questions surrounding his political future, Aidar's absence has focused attention on the fate of his business empire, which includes a stake in Bitel, Kyrgyzstan's largest telecommunications company.

Surrounded by Akayev family memorabilia, a calendar signed by Bermet and a bookcase filled with books by and about Askar, Sarmanova said Aidar and Bermet had done much for the small town 100 kilometers east of Bishkek. They financed the construction of the bus station and donated music centers and computers to local schools. She claimed that Aidar's landslide victory in the February 27 poll was an accurate reflection of his popularity. Other observers, however, have suggested that the election results may have been falsified to enhance Aidar's margin of victory.

"Aidar and Bermet built social clubs for young people. Every school in Kemin has computers, which is very unusual for Kyrgyzstan," Sarmanova said. She refused to say if Kemin felt cheated by political developments, but added she believed the new administration would treat the town fairly.

At a local café, regulars listened recently to live radio coverage of a parliamentary session over lunch and vodka. A stream of allegations against Akayev aired during the legislative debate was met with a stony silence in the Kemin café. "It doesn't matter what we think, our opinions don't matter," said the proprietor.

Outside near the market, teenagers on a school break chatted about an upcoming ethnic Uzbek and Turkish dance performance scheduled for that afternoon. "Aidar is our deputy. We like him and we want him to come back, he gave music centers to the club we dance at," said Aichuruk, 17. Her dancing partner Airmagal, also 17, added, "I just can't imagine having another deputy represent us."

Not everyone in the town is enamored with the Akayev family. "Sure, he gave some computers to some schools but what is that about really?" asked Mairambek, a young shopkeeper. "I never trusted him and I don't want him back. All I want is the same as everyone else, some peace and prosperity."

In Orlovka, a neighboring village about seven kilometers south of Kemin, one resident who asked not to be named suggested that Aidar had sought to buy the allegiance of the local electorate, exploiting his family's political influence and economic connections. "I don't want him back. Aidar's generosity went so far as to giving rival candidates money to drop out of the race at the last minute. That's bribery," he claimed.