The recent upsurge in protests across Kazakhstan has grabbed global attention, prompting the country’s President to demand aid from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), an intergovernmental military alliance comprising six nations. The call for assistance underscores the scale of the threat these protests pose to the ruling regime, which has maintained control over this Central Asian nation since its inception as an independent republic in 1991.
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation
Born out of the disarray following the end of the Soviet era, the CSTO was effectively established in 2002, putting a formal structure to a pact signed by six post-Soviet states – Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – in 1992. Often referred to as the ‘Tashkent Pact’ or ‘Tashkent Treaty’, this agreement underlines their commitment to collective security within the context of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Expansion and Solidification of the Alliance
Following the initial signing of the pact, three additional post-Soviet states – Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Georgia – joined the ranks in 1993, with the treaty becoming effective in 1994. Yet, not all signatories remained a part of the alliance, with Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan stepping away five years later. Despite this, the remaining six states chose to renew the treaty for another five years, paving the way for the creation of the CSTO as a military alliance in 2002.
Headquarters and Member Nations
Situated in Moscow, the capital of Russia, the headquarters of the CSTO keeps the alliance connected. As of now, the organisation consists of six member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, and Tajikistan.
Aims and Objectives of the CSTO
The CSTO seeks to bolster international and regional security, including cybersecurity provisions. It has a robust focus on peacebuilding efforts and stability, aiming to safeguard the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of its member states collectively. Through this framework, the organisation strives to counter threats to its members, thus preserving and ensuring their continued autonomy and stability.
Recent Involvement in Kazakhstan Protests
The ongoing protests in Kazakhstan, which put the very existence of the nation’s ruling regime at risk, have brought the role of the CSTO into sharp relief. Acting upon the call for assistance by the Kazakh President, the CSTO has initiated efforts to manage the situation, showcasing the relevance and vitality of such intergovernmental military alliances in preserving regional order and security.
