Mass Protests in Kazakhstan

Soon after, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev installed an acting prime minister and said authorities would reduce fuel prices to ensure stability.

⛽ What's going on?... Reports say citizens are angry about the rising cost of fuel (but it's probably more than just that).

• Protests first erupted Sunday after the government lifted its cap on fuel prices, causing them to double. 
• The demonstrations escalated throughout the week. As we mentioned earlier, protesters stormed government buildings in Kazakhstan's largest city yesterday afternoon, setting them ablaze.
• Dozens of protestors and more than ten law enforcement officers have been killed according to Russian and Kazakh state media.

🇰🇿 Why it's a big deal: Dissent and protests are uncommon in the Central Asian country, which is often described as authoritarian. Kazakhstan has had two leaders over the past 30 years.

• Since declaring its independence in 1991 amid the collapse of the Soviet Union, most "elections" have been won by the ruling party with close to 100% of the vote.

📸 The big picture: President Tokayev and his predecessor – Nursultan Nazarbayev, who continues to wield influence behind the scenes – both have the backing of the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Over the years, Putin has closely aligned Russia with its southern neighbor through joint membership in several military alliances, a shared trade union, and other strategic partnerships.

👁️ Looking ahead… Officials have enacted a two-week curfew in Kazakhstan's southwestern Mangystau region, where restrictions include a ban on mass gatherings and limitations on movement.