Kazakh Government Resigns After All-Night Mass Protests

• 5.01.2022, 8:15

The people are staying in downtown Almaty and on the streets of major cities.

Protests in central Almaty and other cities in Kazakhstan continued throughout the night.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has accepted the government's resignation amid nationwide protests over rising gas prices. His decree states that.

The decree reads:

"In accordance with Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I decree:

1. Accept the resignation of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2. To assign temporary duties of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Alikhan Smailov.

3. The members of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall continue performing their duties until approval of the new composition of the Government.

4. This Decree comes into force from the day of its signing.

By morning, Tokayev had appointed officials from his inner circle to high posts: Murat Nurtleu, deputy head of his administration, became first deputy chairman of the National Security Committee; and Yerlan Karin, Tokayev's aide, became state secretary.

Meanwhile, independent Kazakh media and Telegram channels report that protesters continue to stay in the streets of major cities and in central Almaty.