Sooronbay Jeenbekov

Jeenbekov was born in Biy-Myrza, Osh Region on 16 November 1958. His father, Sharif, was a collective farm (kolkhoz) manager while his mother was a housewife.{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-profile-jeenbekov-next-president/28798418.html|title=Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Longtime Atambaev Ally With A Southern Touch, Poised For Kyrgyz Presidency|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=16 October 2017 |access-date=8 August 2019 |last1=Najibullah |first1=Farangis }} His grandfather, Jeenbek Pirnazarov, was a Red Army soldier who served during the Great Patriotic War and was labelled as missing in action.{{cite web |title=Жээнбеков прошел с портретом деда в рядах "Бессмертного полка" в Бишкеке |trans-title=Jeenbekov marched with his grandfather's portrait in the ranks of the "Immortal Regiment" in Bishkek. |url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/29216496.html |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=rus.azattyk.org}} Jeenbekov is one of nine siblings in his family, being the third eldest child. Jeenbekov attended the Kyrgyz Academy of Agriculture, graduating with a degree in zoological engineering. In 2003, he completed further studies, graduating in accounting from the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University.{{cite web|url=http://akipress.org/elections/president2017/news:9191/|title=Сооронбай Жээнбеков|language=ru|trans-title=Sooronbay Jeenbekov|publisher=Новости АКИpress}}

File:Dmitry Medvedev, Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Tigran Sargsyan at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting, 7 March 2017.jpg, and Tigran Sargsyan at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council summit in Bishkek, 7 March 2017.]]

Jeenbekov started his career at the Lenin School in the Uzgen District, where he worked as a teacher at 18 and taught Russian and literature. In 1983, he became the chief livestock specialist of the Soviet farm in the Soviet district of Osh region and continued to work in the position for five years. In November 1988, he managed to obtain a job as an instructor in the district committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan in the Soviet district of the Osh region. After a few years, he became the director of the party committee.{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.kg/?page_id=33806&lang=ru|title=Биография|language=ru|trans-title=Biography|publisher=Официальный сайт Правительства КР|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160416144752/http://www.gov.kg/?page_id=33806&lang=ru|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

After entering politics, in 1993, Jeenbekov was elected chairman of the Kashka-Zhol collective farm in Kara-Kulja District.{{cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Сооронбай Жээнбеков. Биография |trans-title=Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Biography |url=https://kloop.kg/blog/2017/09/22/sooronbaj-zheenbekov-biografiya/ |publisher=Kloop Media |language=ru}} He became a Deputy of the Assembly of People's Representatives in 1995. In 2007, he became the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and the Processing Industry. In 2010, he served as the governor of the Osh region, and in 2015, he was appointed as director of the State Personnel Service. In March 2016, he was appointed as first deputy head of the Presidential Administration, before his appointment as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.{{cite web|title=Sooronbay Jeenbekov is new Kyrgyz PM|publisher=Trade Bridge Consultants|url=http://tradebridgeconsultants.com/news/reshuffles/sooronbay-jeenbekov-is-new-kyrgyz-pm/}}{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/06/c_137232702.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616001911/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/06/c_137232702.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2018|title=Profile: Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov – Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|website=Xinhuanet.com|access-date=16 December 2018}}

{{main|2017 Kyrgyz presidential election}}

Jeenbekov resigned from the post of prime minister on 21 August 2017, after being named as an official candidate in the 2017 presidential election. He stated that he "[wanted] to be in an equal position with other presidential candidates."

The election was held on 15 October 2017. Kyrgyzstan's central election commission reported a total of almost 1.7 million votes cast, of which Jeenbekov won 54.74 percent.{{cite news |last=Gizitdinov |first=Nariman |date=15 October 2017 |title=Jeenbekov Wins Kyrgyz Presidential Vote as Rival Urges Stability |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-15/jeenbekov-on-course-to-win-kyrgyzstan-presidential-election |work=Bloomberg News |publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=16 October 2017 }} Jeenbekov's election marks the first democratic transfer of power in a Kyrgyz election. Azay Guliyev confirmed the election to be one of the few peaceful elections in Kyrgyzstan's history.{{cite web|last1=Nariman|first1=Gizitdinov|title=Photographer: Vyacheslav Oseledko/AFP via Getty Images Jeenbekov Wins Kyrgyzstan's Presidential Election|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-15/jeenbekov-on-course-to-win-kyrgyzstan-presidential-election|website=Bloomberg Politics|access-date=16 October 2017}}

File:Vladimir Putin and Sooronbay Jeenbekov (2018-05-14) 02.jpg Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, in 14 May 2018]]

Jeenbekov was inaugurated as president on 24 November 2017 in a ceremony that took place in the Enesay reception house of the Ala Archa State Residence. His first presidential decree in office was made to confer the title of Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic to former president Atambayev. Just days into his presidency, Jeenbekov changed the time of his departure to the White House to early in the morning to avoid Bishkek traffic, a move which was praised by many Bishkek residents.{{cite web|url=https://24.kg/english/77640_One_hundred_days_of_Sooronbai_Jeenbekov_From_first_visit_to_first_intrigue/|title=One hundred days of Sooronbai Jeenbekov. From first visit to first intrigue|last=KOSTENKO|first=Julia|date=3 March 2018|website=24.kg|language=en-US|access-date=16 December 2018}} He conducted his first foreign visit after assuming the presidency was to Russia where he met with Vladimir Putin.{{Cite news|url=http://tass.com/politics/977787|title=Russian, Kyrgyz presidents to meet on November 29 — Kremlin|work=TASS|access-date=16 December 2017|language=ru}} Early into his presidency, he has been accused of undermining the country's democracy by sandressing opposition politicians lists.{{cite news|title=Repression in Kyrgyzstan is eroding Central Asia's only democracy|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21735067-life-getting-harder-opposition-politicians-and-journalists-repression-kyrgyzstan|access-date=19 January 2018|newspaper=The Economist|date=18 January 2018}} On 19 April 2018, Jeenbekov fired his Prime Minister Sapar Isakov and the government following a vote of no confidence from Kyrgyzstan's parliament.{{cite web|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2018/04/19/kyrgyz-pm-dismissed-as-jeenbekov-looks-to-cement-control/|title=Kyrgyz PM Dismissed As Jeenbekov Looks To Cement Control • Channels Television|date=19 April 2018|website=Channels Television|access-date=16 December 2018}}

In an address to journalists in May 2018, Jeenbekov promised to fight against tribalism being imposed on the country saying that "We will take measures against those, who impose a "north-south" issue in the society."{{cite web|url=https://m.akipress.com/news:605972/&#|title=AKIpress News Agency|website=m.akipress.com|access-date=16 December 2018}}

File:6th Summit of Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States kicks off in Cholpon-Ata 03.jpg during the 6th summit of Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan in September 2018]]

Jeenbekov opened the Central Mosque of Imam Sarakhsi, which is the largest mosque in Central Asia, with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his visit to Bishkek in early September 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/religion/2018/09/02/erdogan-inaugurates-central-asias-largest-mosque-in-kyrgyzstan/amp|title=Erdoğan inaugurates Central Asia's largest mosque in Kyrgyzstan|website=Dailysabah.com|date=2 September 2018|access-date=16 December 2018}} During his visit, Erdoğan pressured Jeenbekov to take the appropriate measures to deal with Turkish Islamist leader Fethullah Gülen.{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-warns-kyrgyzstan-over-fethullah-gulen-threat/1299857/|title=Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warns Kyrgyzstan over Fethullah Gulen threat |date=2 September 2018|website=Financialexpress.com|access-date=16 December 2018}}

Jeenbekov opened the 2018 World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata on 3 September 2018, marking the first major international event that Jeenbekov has hosted in Kyrgyzstan.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/world/2018/09/04/world-nomad-games-begin-kyrgyzstan/1193716002/|title=World Nomad Games begin in Kyrgyzstan|website=Usatoday.com|language=en|access-date=16 December 2018}} Receiving Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the Cholpon-Ata State Residence the next day, Jeenbekov thanked the prime minister for becoming the first Hungarian leader to visit the country since its independence.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-s-orban-vows-to-develop-ties-with-kin-central-asian-states/29470450.html|title=Hungary's Orban Vows To Develop Ties With 'Kin' Central Asian States|website=Rferl.org|access-date=16 December 2018}} In April 2019, Jeenbekov received Valentina Shevchenko (a professional Kyrgyz–Peruvian mixed martial artist fighter) during her tour of her native Kyrgyzstan, her first visit in seven years. Jeenbekov praised Shevchenko's role in her profession, even going as far as to say that she "defended the honour of our Kyrgyzstan".{{Cite web |last=Zidan |first=Karim |date=9 April 2019 |title=President of Kyrgyzstan meets with UFC champ Valentina Shevchenko |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/4/9/18302115/president-kyrgyzstan-meets-ufc-champ-valentina-shevchenko-mma-politics-news |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Bloody Elbow}} On 4 May he ordered that all mining of uranium in the country will be banned.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/keeping-kyrgyzstan-s-uranium-in-the-ground-/29924122.html|title=Keeping Kyrgyzstan's Uranium In The Ground|website=Rferl.org|access-date=8 August 2019}}

File:Participants in the CSTO Collective Security Council meeting.jpg, November 2017.]]

{{See also|List of international presidential trips made by Sooronbay Jeenbekov}}

Jeenbekov's foreign policy has been described as much more balanced than his predecessors. In his inaugural remarks, he vowed to make the Kremlin the country's "main strategic partner" as well as signaled that he will seek more collaborative bilateral ties with China and the European Union. He is noted for repairing relations with neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, following an improvement in ties under Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took power the year before Jeenbekov, and a diplomatic crisis after Jeenbekov's predecessor, Almazbek Atambayev accused Kazakhstan of election interference and called the Kazakh government under President Nursultan Nazarbayev a "dictatorship".{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-jeenbekov-vows-balanced-foreign-policy-russia-strategic-partner/28883735.html|title=New Kyrgyz President Vows Balanced Foreign Policy With Russia As Main 'Strategic Partner'|website=Rferl.org|access-date=16 December 2018}} All of this is reflected in the international working and state visits which he makes often, with Jeenbekov visiting Russia and Kazakhstan the most since 28 November 2017.

In an address to the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan in late June 2018, he outlined and made clear that his country will pursue and develop multilateral relations with Turkey, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the Arab world by the end of his term in 2023.{{cite web|url=http://kabar.kg/eng/news/jeenbekov-names-foreign-policy-priorities-of-kyrgyzstan/|title=Jeenbekov names foreign policy priorities of Kyrgyzstan|date=27 June 2018|website=Kabar.kg|language=en|access-date=16 December 2018|last3=Government|last4=Politics|last5=Economy|last6=Society|last7=Analytics|last8=Regions|last9=Culture}} In his first year in office, President Jeenbekov participated in 30 international meetings, where 77 bilateral agreements and 414 multilateral documents were signed. Also during his first year, Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations with four foreign countries.{{cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/casia/kyrgyzstan/2982512.html|title=Sooronbay Jeenbekov's work results in foreign policy in his one year presidency|date=20 November 2018|website=Trend.Az|language=en|access-date=16 December 2018}}

In March 2019, Jeenbekov made his remarks during a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of Kyrgyzstan that his country had plans to step up work on development of bilateral co-operation with the United States and United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Caravanserai |title=Kyrgyzstan to 'step up' co-operation with US, UK, says Jeenbekov |url=https://central.asia-news.com:443/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/newsbriefs/2019/03/14/newsbrief-02 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Caravanserai |language=en-GB}} The draft of a new co-operation agreement with the United States is currently being reconciled.{{Cite web |last=Altynbayev |first=By Kanat |title=Renewed Kyrgyz-US co-operation paves way for deepening relations |url=https://central.asia-news.com:443/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2018/12/26/feature-01 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Caravanserai |language=en-GB}}

During Vladimir Putin's state visit to Bishkek in March 2019, he ordered that a new marble pavilion be created outside the Ala Archa State Residence to provide a sound place for the National Guard to render honors.{{cite web |title=Внутри "Ала-Арчи": тайны резиденции президента Кыргызстана |trans-title=Inside "Ala-Archa": secrets of the residence of the President of Kyrgyzstan |url=https://mir24.tv/articles/16361805/vnutri-ala-archi-tainy-rezidencii-prezidenta-kyrgyzstana |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=Mir24 |language=ru}} Since then, he has received Xi Jinping, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, Narendra Modi at the new area. Jeenbekov attended the latter's second swearing-in ceremony in late May in his first visit to the Indian sub-continent.

File:Jeenbekov clan.png

Jeenbekov`s rule was associated with the strengthening of family-clan ties at the highest echelons of power. It was increasingly said that key positions in the state were occupied by people close to the president by blood or regional affiliation. The president's brother, parliament deputy Asylbek Jeenbekov, was openly called the president's right hand and the "shadow cardinal."{{Cite web |date=2019-07-09 |title=Клан Жээнбековых. Что известно о родственниках президента и с какими семьями они связаны |trans-title=The Jeenbekov Clan. What is known about the president’s relatives and which families they are connected to. |url=https://kaktus.media/doc/392019_klan_jeenbekovyh._chto_izvestno_o_rodstvennikah_prezidenta_i_s_kakimi_semiami_oni_sviazany.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=kaktus.media |language=ru}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-21 |title=В чем провинились родственники Жээнбекова? |url=https://www.vb.kg/doc/374994_v_chem_provinilis_rodstvenniki_jeenbekova.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Вечерний Бишкек}} Jeenbekov's son-in-law became the head of the foreign policy department of the president's office, his nephew Nooruz headed the "Gazprom Kyrgyzstan" branches, another brother, Jusup Jeenbekov, headed the embassy in Ukraine, and another nephew Teniz became the head of the "Ayyl Bank" branches. Many saw this as a departure from the democratic ideals and principles that Kyrgyzstan tried to uphold since its inception.{{Cite web |last=Batshuayi |first=Michy |date=2021-02-19 |title=rr88 |url=https://rr88l.ink |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=rr88l.ink |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-04-06 |title=Атамбаев: Нельзя допустить семейно-кланового правления |url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/29149994.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Радио Азаттык (Кыргызская служба Радио Свободная Европа/Радио Свобода) |language=ru}} Such a strengthening of the family-clan regime undermined the trust of the people in the government and became the main reason for its overthrow.{{Cite web |title="Черный июль" — коррупция, бедность, крах Жээнбекова |url=https://kg.akipress.org/news:1688565 |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=kg.akipress.org}} As it turned out later, cases with a politically motivated bias were personally handled by the president's nephew Rustambek Borombaev in Attorney general's office, and his relatives also entered the leadership circles of the corrupt South-West customs of Kyrgyzstan.{{Cite web |last=Короткова |first=Елена |date=2020-09-30 |title=Прокурор-племянник президента и дело Сапара Исакова. Генпрокуратура Кыргызстана ответила на обвинения Кадыра Атамбаева |url=https://kloop.kg/blog/2020/09/30/prokuror-plemyannik-prezidenta-i-delo-sapara-isakova-genprokuratura-kyrgyzstana-otvetila-na-obvineniya-kadyra-atambaeva/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=KLOOP.KG - Новости Кыргызстана |language=ru-RU}}

File:COVID 19 Kyrgyzstan.jpg

In July, Kyrgyzstan topped the global statistics for mortality per capita on specific days at least 6 times. The official number of deaths during the pandemic period was 1,390;{{Cite web |date=2021-01-25 |title=«Самая высокая смертность за последние 10 лет». Как КР пережил 2020 год |trans-title="The highest mortality rate in the last 10 years." How Kyrgyzstan experienced the year 2020 |url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/31067213.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Радио Азаттык (Кыргызская служба Радио Свободная Европа/Радио Свобода) |language=ru}} however, experts claimed that the death toll was many times higher, with excess mortality being 6,390 people. In total, international financial institutions provided the country with grants amounting to $165.8 million and loans totaling $461.5 million.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-07 |title=Как пандемия коронавируса в 2020 году повлияла на государственный долг Кыргызстана |trans-title=How the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 affected Kyrgyzstan's national debt |url=https://economist.kg/potok-grantov-i-kreditov/2022/04/07/kak-pandemiya-koronavirusa-v-2020-godu-povliyala-na-gosudarstvennyj-dolg-kyrgyzstana/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Economist.kg |language=ru}}

The public and the media accused the country's authorities of excessive mortality from the coronavirus pandemic, particularly pointing out corrupt schemes involving people connected to the president's brother, Asylbek Jeenbekov. {{Cite web |title=Заработать на коронавирусе: простые маски закупались по 25 сомов, защитные костюмы по 6000 сомов |trans-title=Profiting from coronavirus: simple masks were purchased for 25 soms, protective suits for 6000 soms |url=https://pk.kg/news/inner/19026/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=ПолитКлиника |language=ky}} The amount of funds used in state procurement sometimes exceeded the market value of goods by ten times. The company "Farwater" won a bid for the supply of PPE suits for 6,000 soms, even though volunteers purchased them at prices ranging from 240 to 360 soms. In another lot won by "Farwater", respiratory masks were procured at 400 soms, although similar masks in Bishkek can be found ranging from 30 to 150 soms. Meanwhile, single-use three-layer masks from the "Farwater" tender were bought for 25 soms, even though you can find such masks for as low as 10 soms. The company was linked to the "Birimdik" party, affiliated with Asylbek Jeenbekov. According to the Ministry of Justice registry information, the founder and director of the company is Sadykova Indira Tofikovna. The name of "Farwater's" director is also listed among the founders of the president's brother Asylbek Jeenbekov's party "Birimdik".

Additionally, conclusions drawn by an interdepartmental commission later revealed that a third treatment protocol prepared by mid-May 2020 was intentionally withheld. The purpose was for several pharmaceutical companies, directly linked to high-ranking officials, to get rid of purchased drugs that turned out to be ineffective. Corruption during the pandemic became one of the reasons for the downfall of Sooronbay Jeenbekov's authority.

In June 2020, Jeenbekov went into quarantine after returning from a cut-short visit to Moscow after two of his staffers tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic in Kyrgyzstan. He was due to attend the 2020 Moscow Victory Day Parade.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan's president goes into quarantine |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstans-president-goes-into-quarantine/1888988 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.aa.com.tr}} He declared 30 July as a Day of National Mourning.{{cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1100576761/Jeenbekov-Its-too-early-to-conclude-that-COVID-19-situation-has-stabilized|title=Jeenbekov: It's too early to conclude that COVID-19 situation has stabilized|website=menafn.com|access-date=7 October 2020}} That day, he took part in an Islamic religious ceremony to honour those who lost their lives from the pandemic, saying "Let the souls of our deceased compatriots rest in peace, may their souls be in heaven".{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Since Jeenbekov took power in November 2017, he has had what can only be described as a contentious relationship with his predecessor and former ally, Almazbek Atambayev. In the early months of his presidency, he used his position to praise Atambayev's work, even going as far giving him the title of "Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic", which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a citizen of Kyrgyzstan.{{cite web|url=http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ru-ru/900133|title=Указ Президента КР от 27 ноября 2017 года УП № 1 "О присвоении высшей степени отличия "Кыргыз Республикасынын Баатыры" А.Ш.Атамбаеву"|website=cbd.minjust.gov.kg}}{{cite web |title=Алмазбеку Атамбаеву присвоена высшая степень отличия "Кыргыз Республикасынын Баатыры" |trans-title=Almazbek Atambayev was awarded the highest distinction "Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic." |url=http://prezident.kg/ru/novosti/10948_almazbeku_atambaevu_prisvoena_vyisshaya_stepen_otlichiya_kyirgyiz_respublikasyinyin_baatyiryi/ |access-date=28 November 2017 |publisher=prezident.kg}} Atambayev strongly backed Jeenbekov during the 2017 election against his opponent Ömürbek Babanov, even referring to himself as an "older brother" to Jeenbekov.

Since Atambayev left office on 24 November 2017 and handed the presidency to his successor Sooronbay Jeenbekov, he has served as head of the SDPK. In his post presidency he got back to the political arena, most notably by criticizing his own successor. This criticism, which began in the spring of 2018, has mostly revolved around Jeenbekov's establishment of family clan regime.

By that time, the media began to dazzle with headlines about the family-clan regime of Jeenbekov and dozens of his relatives in the highest state apparatus, embassies and parliament. On 17 March, Atambayev expressed regret by saying: "I apologize to everyone for bringing this person to power".{{Cite web |date=2019-03-17 |title=Атамбаев: Прошу прощения перед всеми, что привел такого человека к власти. Я все исправлю |url=https://kaktus.media/doc/388382_atambaev:_proshy_prosheniia_pered_vsemi_chto_privel_takogo_cheloveka_k_vlasti._ia_vse_ispravlu.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=kaktus.media |language=ru}}

As Jeenbekov continued serving as president, a rift grew between the two as Atambayev later became more involved in politics in the 6 months post his presidency, eventually rising to the Chairmanship of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, of which Jeenbekov was a member of. In Atambayev's remarks following his assumption to the post, he criticized Jeenbekov for his handling of the Bishkek power plant failure earlier that, as well as rebuked him for not taking steps to force his brother - Asylbek Jeenbekov - to resign from parliament.

In early April 2018, Jeenbekov dismissed two high-ranking officials in the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) who are considered to be close to Atambayev. The move was seen as an apparent jab at Atambayev and his former government.{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/is-there-a-growing-atambayev-jeenbekov-rift-in-kyrgyzstan/|title=Is There a Growing Atambayev-Jeenbekov Rift in Kyrgyzstan?|author=Catherine Putz|website=The Diplomat|language=en-US|access-date=16 December 2018}} In an interview on his 60th birthday later in the year, Jeenbekov accused Atambayev of indirectly and directly trying to influence him and his presidency, saying the following to the 24 Kyrgyzstan news agency:{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-president-accuses-predecessor-of-rying-to-turn-him-into-puppet-/29604471.html|title=Kyrgyz President Accuses Predecessor Of Trying To Turn Him Into 'Puppet'|website=Rferl.org|access-date=8 July 2022}}

{{Blockquote

|text=His attempts to turn me into a puppet leader through some third individuals, to direct my actions {{endash}} discredit him as a person, as an ex-president, as a fellow party member and associate.

|sign=|source=}}

He later denied that he was fighting with Atambayev, saying at a press conference in December 2018 that his major goal was to do "nothing but to work day and night" while saying that he does "not consider anyone a rival".{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-president-says-he-is-not-fighting-with-his-predecessor/29664782.html|title=Kyrgyz President Says He Is 'Not Fighting' With His Predecessor|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|language=en|access-date=19 April 2019}} Due to the failed attempt by SOBR Units to arrest Atambayev at his residence in Koy-Tash on 7 August, which resulted in the death of one soldier, Jeenbekov came back from his vacation and called a meeting of the Security Council, in which Jeenbekov accused Atambayev of "rudely violating the constitution".{{cite web |title=События – Официальный сайт Президента Кыргызской Республики |trans-title=Events – Official Website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic |url=http://president.kg/ru/sobytiya/14734_prezident_sooronbay_gheenbekov_provel_zasedanie_soveta_bezopasnosti_kirgizskoy_respubliki |access-date=8 August 2019 |website=president.kg}}

The relationship between the two and their supporters eventually became so strained that the SDPK suffered splits in 2019, and the majority of each faction formed their own parties to run in the October 2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election where the SDPK did not field any candidate.

{{Main|2020 Kyrgyzstani protests}}

Following the October 2020 parliamentary election, protests broke out throughout the country, with many demanding his resignation. Earlier that August, he indicated that the elections could not be postponed in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite web|date=7 August 2020|title=No Coronavirus Postponement And No Front-Runners So Far In Kyrgyz Elections|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/no-coronavirus-postponement-and-no-front-runners-so-far-in-kyrgyz-elections/30771625.html|access-date=6 October 2020}} During the elections, several parties close to Jeenbekov were accused of buying votes.{{cite web|last=Namatbayeva|first=Tolkun|date=5 October 2020|title=Monitors decry vote-buying in Kyrgyz parliamentary vote|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/monitors-decry-vote-buying-kyrgyz-105450690.html|access-date=6 October 2020|publisher=AFP|language=en-US|via=Yahoo!}} Out of the parties that made it into parliament, only the United Kyrgyzstan party opposed Jeenbeko.{{cite web|last=Pannier|first=Bruce|date=3 October 2020|title=Kyrgyzstan: A Guide To The Parties Competing In The Parliamentary Elections|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-a-guide-to-the-parties-competing-in-the-parliamentary-elections/30871908.html|access-date=5 October 2020|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|language=en}} On early Tuesday morning of 6 October, protesters claimed control over Ala-Too Square in central Bishkek{{cite web|title=Демонстранты полностью контролируют площадь "Ала-Тоо"|url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/30876878.html|access-date=5 October 2020|website=Радио Азаттык (Кыргызская служба Радио Свободная Европа/Радио Свобода)|language=ru}} and also managed to seize the White House and Supreme Council buildings, entering the President's offices and destroying portraits of Jeenbekov.{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Opposition in Kyrgyzstan claims power after storming government buildings|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26R05T|website=Reuters}} On 6 October, following the protests, the Central Election Commission annulled the results of the parliamentary elections.{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Kyrgyzstan election: Sunday's results annulled after mass protests|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54432030|website=BBC}} Jeenbekov claimed that he faced a coup d'état, and then he told the BBC that he was "ready to give the responsibility to strong leaders".{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Kyrgyzstan election: Embattled president hints he may stand down|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54432037|website=BBC}} On 8 October, it was announced that his whereabouts were unknown, with the Interior Ministry saying that it is not engaged in searching for him.{{cite web|last=AFP|first=Tolkun Namatbayeva for|date=8 October 2020|title=Kyrgyz Leader Missing as Power Vacuum Persists|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/10/08/kyrgyz-leader-missing-as-power-vacuum-persists-a71698|access-date=8 October 2020|website=The Moscow Times|language=en}} Meanwhile, opposition parliamentarians launched impeachment procedures against him that day.{{cite web|date=7 October 2020|title=Kyrgyz Parliamentarians launch impeachment procedure against President Jeenbekov|url=https://nation.com.pk/07-Oct-2020/kyrgyz-parliamentarians-launch-impeachment-procedure-against-president-jeenbekov|website=nation.com.pk}}

In an address published on the presidential website on 8 October, Jeenbekov declared: "After legitimate executive authorities have been approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness, I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic".{{cite web|title=Amid political crisis, Kyrgyz president accepts PM's resignation|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/9/kyrgyz-leader-rules-out-resignation-as-politicians-jostle-in-post|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Aljazeera.com|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=9 October 2020|title=Kyrgyzstan President Says Ready to Resign After Mass Unrest|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-09/kyrgyzstan-president-says-he-s-ready-to-resign-after-mass-unrest|access-date=9 October 2020}} Later that day however, despite all indications of the opposite, Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in Bishkek and ordered the deployment of the Kyrgyz Army to the streets.{{cite web|title=Ex-Kyrgyz president Atambayev survives 'assassination attempt'|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/9/kyrgyzstan-president-declares-state-of-emergency-in-capital|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Aljazeera.com|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Kyrgyzstan's Jeenbekov deploys troops to quell protests in capital|url=https://www.trtworld.com/asia/kyrgyzstan-s-jeenbekov-deploys-troops-to-quell-protests-in-capital-40440|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Kyrgyzstan's Jeenbekov deploys troops to quell protests in capital|language=en}} He charged General Taalaibek Omuraliev as Chief of the General Staff to lead the response, replacing General Rayimberdi Duishenbiev.{{cite web|date=9 October 2020|title=Президент Киргизии обсудил с начальником Генштаба ситуацию в стране|url=https://ria.ru/20201009/kirgiziya-1579045617.html|access-date=9 October 2020|website=РИА Новости|language=ru}}{{cite web|date=9 October 2020|title=Президент Жээнбеков посетил Генштаб и встретился с начальником Генштаба Омуралиевым. Фото|url=https://kg.akipress.org/news:1652615|access-date=9 October 2020|website=Новости Кыргызстана}}{{cite web|title=Главе Генштаба Киргизии велено взять под контроль ситуацию в Бишкеке|url=http://www.vesti.ru/article/2469943|access-date=9 October 2020|website=vesti.ru|language=ru}} He also sacked Omurbek Suvanaliyev, who served as the national security chief.{{cite web|url=https://24.english/78185_Damir_Sagynbaev_appointed_Secretary_to_Security_Council_of_Kyrgyzstan/|title=Damir Sagynbaev appointed Secretary to Security Council of Kyrgyzstan|date=12 March 2018|website=24.kg}}

Jeenbekov resigned on 15 October 2020.{{cite web|title=Kyrgyzstan president Jeenbekov resigns after unrest|url=https://news.trust.org/item/20201015071651|publisher=Reuters|access-date=15 October 2020}} He stated as his official reason staying not being "worth the integrity of our country and agreement in society".{{cite web|title=Sooronbay Jeenbekov: Kyrgyzstan president announces resignation|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/15/kyrgyzstan-president-jeenbekov-announces-resignation|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Aljazeera.com|language=en}} He also called "on Japarov and the other politicians to withdraw their supporters out of the capital of the nation and to return the people of Bishkek to peaceful lives".{{cite web|date=15 October 2020|title=Kyrgyzstan's president steps down amid political unrest|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/15/kyrgyzstan-president-steps-down-amid-political-unrest|access-date=15 October 2020|work=The Guardian|language=en}}{{cite web|title=События – Официальный сайт Президента Кыргызской Республики|url=http://www.president.kg/ru/sobytiya/18036_prezident_sooronbay_gheenbekov_dlya_menya_mir_vkirgizstane_celostnost_strani_edinstvo_nashego_naroda_ispokoystvie_vobshestve_previshe_vsego__net_nichego_doroghe_dlya_menya_ghizni_kaghdogo_moego_sootechestvennika|access-date=15 October 2020|website=President.kg}}

The day after his resignation, Japarov signed an order that provided Jeenbekov with the status of ex-president, which carries the privileges of access to a lifetime of personal security, the right to reside in the main government residence, a service car, and free medical service.{{cite web|title=Acting president of Kyrgyzstan grants Sooronbay Jeenbekov with 'ex-president' status|url=https://tass.com/world/1213135|access-date=2020-11-11|website=TASS}} His next major appearance was alongside the Kyrgyz leadership at Ata-Beyit during a ceremony on the Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors.{{cite web|date=2020-11-07|title=Как теперь выглядит новая верхушка власти Кыргызстана (плюс два экс-президента). Фото|url=https://kaktus.media/doc/425426_kak_teper_vygliadit_novaia_verhyshka_vlasti_kyrgyzstana_plus_dva_eks_prezidenta._foto.html|access-date=2020-12-17|website=Кактус|language=ru}} Jeenbekov took part in Japarov's inauguration on 28 January.{{cite web|title=Sadyr Japarov sworn in as Kyrgyzstan's new president|url=https://tass.com/world/1249821|access-date=2021-01-29|website=TASS}} A week later, Jeenbekov left the country for Saudi Arabia, with many speculating that he may be going into self-exile.{{cite web| url = https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-jeenbekov-leaves-country-sparking-talk-of-exile| title = Kyrgyzstan: Jeenbekov leaves country, sparking talk of exile |website=Eurasianet.org}} According to Jeenbekov, his trip was a pilgrimage that came at the invitation of the King Salman of Saudi Arabia.{{cite web|author=Дарья Подольская |url=https://24.kg/vlast/182039_tolgonay_stamalieva_rasskazala_kuda_izachem_vyiletel_sooronbay_jeenbekov/ |title=Толгонай Стамалиева рассказала, куда и зачем вылетел Сооронбай Жээнбеков » Власть |website=24.kg |date=2021-02-02 |access-date=2021-11-22}}

His wife, Aigul Jeenbekova (née Tokoeva), has been married to Jeenbekov since 1988. Together, they have two children, with their eldest daughter, Baktygul, being married and a graduate from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University. Their younger child is a son named Iman. Jeenbekov's younger brother, Asylbek Jeenbekov, is also a politician, while his other brother, Zhusupbek Sharipov, is a former governor from Jalal-Abad and the current ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://24.kg/english/68316_Brother_of_new_president_of_Kyrgyzstan_may_become_ambassador_to_Ukraine/|title=Brother of new president of Kyrgyzstan may become ambassador to Ukraine|date=15 November 2017|website=24.kg|language=en-US|access-date=16 December 2018}} Another brother of his, Kantoro Toktomamatov (born in 1947), who formerly served as rector of the University of Economy and Enterprise, died in April 2017.{{cite web|url=http://kg.kabar.kg/news/toktomamatov-kant-r-sharipovich-70-zhash-kuragynda-kaza-boldu-nekrolog/|title=Токтомаматов Кантөрө Шарипович 70 жаш курагында каза болду – некролог|website=Kg.kabar.kg}}{{cite web| url = https://kabarlar.org/news/98966-szheenbekovdun-agasynyn-ysymy-zhalal-abaddagy-universitetke-yygaryldy.html| title = С.Жээнбековдун агасынын ысымы Жалал-Абаддагы университетке ыйгарылды |website=Kabarlar.org}} Aside from his native Kyrgyz, Jeenbekov is also fluent in Russian.

• Order of Manas (2015)
• Medal of Dank (2011)
• Honored Worker of Agriculture
• Order of Nazarbayev (2019){{cite web|url=http://www.akorda.kz/ru/events/akorda_news/meetings_and_receptions/elbasy-vstretilsya-s-prezidentom-kyrgyzskoi-respubliki-sooronbaem-zheenbekovym|title=Елбасы встретился с Президентом Кыргызской Республики Сооронбаем Жээнбековым — Официальный сайт Президента Республики Казахстан|website=Akorda.kz|access-date=8 August 2019}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sooronbay Jeenbekov}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.gov.kg/?page_id=73229|title=Жээнбеков Сооронбай Шарипович|language=ky|trans-title=Jeenbekov Sooronbay Sharipovich|publisher=Government of the Kyrgyz Republic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227200358/http://www.gov.kg/?page_id=73229|archive-date=27 December 2016}}

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{{s-bef|before=Temir Sariyev}}

{{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan|years=2016–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Muhammetkaliy Abulgaziyev
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{{s-bef|before=Almazbek Atambayev}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of Kyrgyzstan|years=2017–2020}}

{{s-aft|after=Sadyr Japarov
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{{Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan}}

{{KyrgyzPresidents}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeenbekov, Sooronbay}}

Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Osh Region

Category:Presidents of Kyrgyzstan

Category:Prime ministers of Kyrgyzstan

Category:Members of the Supreme Council (Kyrgyzstan)

Category:Communist Party of the Soviet Union members

Category:Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan politicians

Category:Chairmen of the Turkic Council