You must fight president when in power, says Baisalov in defense of Akayev

Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to the US Edil Baisalov, once one of the most irreconcilable political opponents of Askar Akayev, has spoken out in defense of the country's first president. He urged Kyrgyzstanis to recognize the historical merits of the former head of state despite his mistakes, and called decisions to strip him of his ex-president status politicized and legally void. The diplomat wrote this on November 10 while congratulating Akayev on his birthday.

Baisalov said that his attitude toward public criticism of the former president changed particularly after the events of June 2026. At that time, Akayev's participation in the Issyk-Kul Forum sparked a fierce discussion in Kyrgyzstan.

According to the diplomat, he was outraged by the mockery and insults directed at the first president, including from young people who did not live through the years of his rule.

“I admit, it was offensive for me to read this. And I called many people in Kyrgyzstan back then, expressing my indignation and disagreement.”

At the same time, Baisalov emphasized that he does not renounce his former political convictions and still considers many of his claims against Akayev to be well-founded.

“I myself was one of the most irreconcilable critics and political opponents of Askar Akayev. I openly opposed him, fought his policies. And I still believe that I was largely right. I do not renounce my former views.”

However, according to the ambassador, political struggle should be waged primarily against the current authorities when their decisions directly determine the future of the country.

Baisalov questioned what sense it makes to continue confrontation with a person who left the presidency 21 years ago and has already become part of Kyrgyzstan's history.

Why Baisalov proposes recognizing Akayev's merits

The diplomat appealed to the younger generation of Kyrgyzstanis with a call not to rush in condemning people who had to create an independent state in the early 1990s.

According to him, recognizing Akayev's historical role does not mean justifying all decisions made during his rule.

As an example of attitude toward the past, Baisalov cited the US, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026. He recalled that American founding fathers, including George Washington, also committed actions that are subject to serious criticism today, yet their contribution to state-building continues to receive recognition.

The diplomat paid special attention to two achievements of Kyrgyzstan in the international arena.

Baisalov noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are still seeking a similar decision in Washington, whereas Kyrgyzstan resolved this issue back during Akayev's presidency.

“And now, observing all this work from the inside, I appreciate even more what was done back then by our country.”

According to the ambassador, the achievements of the early years of independence laid the foundation for the development of state institutions and international relations of Kyrgyzstan.

He emphasized that the serious mistakes of the authorities at that time should not become the basis for denying all the results of their work.

“But current Kyrgyzstan grew out of that Kyrgyzstan. Our achievements today did not arise from scratch.”

Baisalov also called for abandoning the practice of completely denying the legacy of former country leaders, recalling the historical destinies of Iskhak Razzakov and Turdakun Usubaliev.

Why Baisalov considers stripping Akayev of ex-president status illegal

The diplomat devoted a separate part of his address to the legal status of the first president of Kyrgyzstan.

Baisalov stated that he considers legally void the 2010 decree of the Provisional Government by which Akayev was stripped of his ex-president status.

He also criticized the decision of the Jogorku Kenesh on September 25, 2024, when deputies refused to create a commission to consider the issue of restoring this status.

As Economist.kg previously reported, 71 deputies voted for the refusal, while two opposed it.

In Baisalov's opinion, both decisions were political in nature and lacked sufficient constitutional grounds.

What guarantees Akayev received upon resignation in 2005

To support his position, Baisalov recalled the events of April 2005, when a parliamentary delegation from Kyrgyzstan arrived in Moscow following the March change of power.

It was led by the then Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Omurbek Tekebayev. The delegation, according to the diplomat, also included Sadyr Japarov, who was a member of parliament at the time.

During the negotiations, Akayev agreed to voluntarily resign from his presidential powers. On April 4, 2005, at the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Moscow, he signed a resignation statement.

Baisalov emphasized that one of the fundamental conditions of the negotiations was guarantees of security and legal status for Akayev after leaving office.

In his opinion, the participants in the negotiations, including current President Sadyr Japarov, bear historical responsibility for compliance with the reached agreements.

“The state must respect its obligations. One cannot give guarantees today and tomorrow, after another change of power, declare them invalid.”

The diplomat is convinced that the decisions of 2010 and 2024 cannot cancel Akayev's completed resignation and his right to the status of an ex-president. To strip him of such status, Baisalov believes, proper constitutional grounds and legal procedure are necessary.

“He is indeed the ex-president of the KR”

Concluding his address, Baisalov once again emphasized that his position does not mean abandoning previous criticism of Akayev. It is about recognizing the merits of the first president and respecting the history of independent Kyrgyzstan, he said.

The diplomat congratulated Akayev on his birthday, wishing him health and many years of life.

“I sincerely respect you and highly value your contribution to the formation of the independent Kyrgyz Republic.”

In a postscript, Baisalov returned to the issue of the legal status of the first president and formulated his position unequivocally:

“He is indeed the ex-president of Kyrgyzstan. And he has been since the moment of his resignation in April 2005.”