The ethnic tensions and violence in Kyrgyzstan is becoming a feature on our news bulletins. It is yet another example of nations struggling to conduct their lives following the gaining of independence from colonial powers. One sad feature of this pattern is that people of different ethnic, religious, or some other backgrounds turn against each other – an indication, perhaps, of the effects of that old colonial tactic of divide and rule.

The Kyrgyz claim their place in ancient history though it is more recent events that have mainly contributed to the current situation. In 1876 the region was handed over to the Russian Empire by the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Unwilling to accept this takeover, the Kyrgyz rebelled against their newest repressors and faced harsh suppression. It is estimated that over half the Kyrgyz population was killed. Many of the survivors fled to China – thus leaving the number of ethnic Kyrgyz severely depleted in their own region.

Under Soviet control the region became a Soviet Republic in its own right – though this meant, of course, that it was ruled from the central power base of the USSR in Moscow. There were many benefits to being under Soviet control – including the development of the economy and cultural and educational life. However, indigenous cultural life was put under strain with the Russian language being imposed upon the people.

While the policy of glasnost changed the political atmosphere in some areas of the USSR, it did not change things for the Kyrgyz. When the people decided to protest against the discrimination they faced from the Russians a policy of forcing indigenous Kyrgyz out of cities was followed and having them replaced by other ethnic groups. When the region gained its independence in 1991 ethnic tensions were already spilling over into violence.

This is the key background to the current problems. Added to this is the struggle to form a stable and lawful government (another feature of many post-colonial nations) and instability has been the main feature of Kyrgyzstan’s short independent life. Anger, bitterness and resentment are probably the key emotions stirring in hearts today and while forgiving the past will be an essential element of moving forward, we should not be surprised that they are present.