2022 Mongolian protests
| 2022 Mongolian protests | |||
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| Date | 4 December 2022 – ongoing | ||
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| Status | Ongoing | ||
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Mass protests and riots began in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on 4 December 2022. The reason for the protest was a corruption scandal involving the theft of $12.9 billion worth of coal.
Background
Local media reported that the cause of civil discontent was the involvement of many politicians in the theft of export coal. According to unofficial data, about 6.5 million tons of coal were allegedly stolen from Mongolia. It is also noted that in China, those involved in the theft of coal from Mongolia were executed and sent a list with the names of Mongolian officials involved in this case. The protesters demanded that their names be announced. Khishgeegiin Nyambaatar, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia, said that the government had applied through diplomatic channels to the Beijing authorities for cooperation with the Chinese prosecutor's office investigating the case of coal theft.[1]
As noted, Mongolia exports up to 86 percent of its goods to China, with more than half of this volume accounted for by coal. The value of coal exports from Mongolia jumped to $4.5 billion in the first 9 months of 2022.[1]
Protests
4 December
Protesters gathered outside Ulaanbaatar's government palace on 4 December and demanded the names of officials who are said to have embezzled 44 trillion ($12.8 billion) in Mongolian tögrög (MNT) state coal export revenues over the past two years. Several protesters held national flags and placards "Stop robbing the people", "Stop eating thinking about my future". Several hundred demonstrators decided to continue the protest on Monday, saying they would "go all the way."[2]
In the third largest Mongolian city, Darkhan, they also demanded that the names of the coal thieves be announced and that their property be confiscated. On Sunday, protesters marched through the city, chanting slogans including "Unite Against Thieves." The demonstrators believe that the rights and freedoms of citizens, enshrined in the Constitution, are increasingly limited, and their lives are deteriorating every day.[2]
5 December
On 5 December, protesters tried to break into the Government Palace in Ulaanbaatar. Christmas trees were burned on Sükhbaatar Square, and protesters briefly blocked the capital's main boulevard, Peace Avenue.[3][2] The protesters also moved towards the residence of the Prime Minister, but the police blocked the road to it.[4]
Mongolian authorities said they have created a working group to dialogue with the protesters.[2]
It was reported that the government of Mongolia discussed the situation three times and introduced a "special regime" in relation to the state-owned coal company Erdenes Tavantolgoi. The Minister of Economic Development named five former directors of the company as suspects in the theft of coal.[5]
The US embassy in Mongolia responded to the protests by urging US citizens to avoid demonstrations and crowded places.[6]
Injuries
Local media write that four security officers of the Government Palace were injured, and two protesters were also injured in a crush during the assault. The authorities announced a forceful dispersal of the demonstration if the protesters did not disperse by 22:00 local time.[7]
References
- ^ a b tengrinews.kz (2022-12-05). "Массовые акции протеста охватили столицу Монголии". Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ a b c d "Протестующие в Монголии требуют отставки правительства из-за хищений". Радио Свобода (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ ""Ирээдүйг минь бодоод, идэхээ болиоч"". www.unen.mn. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ "В Монголии массовые протесты из-за экономической ситуации и кражи угля на $12 млрд. Митингующие штурмуют Дворец правительства". Настоящее Время (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ "Mongolia protesters demand government name officials accused of thieving state coal export profits". www.bne.eu. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ Ulaanbaatar, U. S. Embassy (2022-12-05). "Demonstration Alert – U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (December 5, 2022)". U.S. Embassy in Mongolia. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ "Жагсаалыг албадан тараах захирамж гаргажээ | News.MN". News.MN - Мэдээллийн эх сурвалж (in Mongolian). 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-05.