By Joldosh Osmonov (4/14/2010 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Bloody clashes between opposition protesters and law enforcement bodies took place in Bishkek on April 7, 2010.  Mass riots of thousands of people led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, the dissolution of parliament and the establishment of a new interim government. While the opposition is slowly consolidating its power, the ousted President Bakiyev refuses to resign.

By Suhrob Majidov (4/14/2010 issue of the CACI Analyst)

On March 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan presented a note of protest to the Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Dushanbe due to interruptions of railway cargos headed for Tajikistan across the Uzbek border. Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Akil Akilov then complained to the international community about the situation on the Tajik-Uzbek border during his visit to the UN headquarters in New-York, stating that “Tashkent impedes the transit of goods to Tajikistan intentionally”. Finally, the president of Tajikistan appealed to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during the latter’s official visit to Tajikistan, requesting help to resolve the conflict between the two countries.

By Erkin Ahmadov (4/14/2010 issue of the CACI Analyst)

In the last days of March, activists of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan held several demonstrations against the “Tajik Aluminum Company” (TALCO). The activists appealed to international organizations to take measures and stop the environmental pollution in their area caused by the aluminum plant. Many analysts consider the demonstrations as a part of the Uzbek authorities’ reaction to Tajikistan’s plans to finish the construction of the Rogun hydropower station.