Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet republic in Central Asia which shares a border with China. The country gained independence from Russia in 1991.
Kyrgyzstan was relatively stable until March 2005, when the ‘Tulip Revolution’ removed the old regime. Tensions rose again in April 2010, when President Bakiyev was toppled and an interim government was set up under the leadership of former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva. Power in the country remains divided along traditional clan lines, however, and political instability and violence have continued, giving rise to anxiety about the future of this fragile democracy.
The collapse of the Soviet economy and the break-up of the USSR led to economic crisis in the region. Industries and major enterprises lost their centralised subsidies and markets and closed, causing widespread unemployment. The former Soviet social security system has been dismantled, and where benefits remain they are often not paid or they are of negligible value.
The loss of values and breakdown of society has exacerbated numerous social problems. Alcohol and drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, violence, crime, family breakdown and homelessness are all rising. The spread of HIV is increasing.