KAZAKHSTAN: Nazarbayev Out As Chair Of SecCo Amidst Protests

Kazakhstan's President Kassam-Jomart Tokayev has replaced former President Nursultan Nazarbayev as chair of the country's powerful Security Council in an attempt to placate protesters across the country.

• In recent hours, videos have emerged on social media of statues of Nazarbayev - who ruled Kazakhstan for 29 years following the collapse of the Soviet Union - being pulled down. The headquarters of Tokayev and Nazarbayev's Nur Otan party in the largest city, Almaty, has also been ransacked.
• Some outlets on social media are reporting that protesters have seized control of Almaty's international airport, however this has not been confirmed and given the fluid situation on the ground should be taken with some caution.
• It is unclear whether the removal of Nazarbayev from the powerful position will be enough to placate the protest movement following earlier concessions (Cabinet ousting, reimposition of fuel subsidies).