The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, said that he took over as chairman of the Security Council, which was previously headed by the ex-president of the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Tokayev announced this during his address to the nation.
The ORDA Kazakhstan portal published the entire appeal:
“ As president, I am obliged to protect the safety and peace of our citizens , worry about the integrity of Kazakhstan. The measures I have taken are aimed at the well-being of multinational Kazakhstan. But these measures are not yet sufficient. Attention is drawn to the high level of organization of the hooligan elements. This is evidence of an elaborate plan of action by the conspirators who are financially motivated. Precisely the conspirators.
Therefore, as the head of state and from today on, the chairman of the Security Council intends to act as much as possible f stko. This is a question of the safety of our citizens, who make numerous requests to me to protect their lives and the lives of their families. This is a question of the security of our state. I am sure the people will support me.
No matter what, I will be in the capital. It is my constitutional duty to be with the people. Together we will overcome this black strip in the history of Kazakhstan. Let's get out of it strong. Soon I will come up with new proposals for the political transformation of Kazakhstan. I remain on the same position of consistent reforms. ”
In addition, Tokayev said that among the security forces as a result clashes with protesters have killed and wounded.
Nazarbayev has been the only president of Kazakhstan since 1991, but on March 19, 2019, he resigned, retaining the posts of leader of the Nur Otan party, member of the Constitutional Council and chairman of the Security Council of Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev became the second president of Kazakhstan after early elections in June 2019. The election campaign was accompanied by massive protests.