On 1 July 2008, a riot broke out in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. The riot was sparked by allegations of fraud surrounding the 2008 parliamentary election which occurred three days earlier. While initially a peaceful protest, the riot resulted in Mongolia's first state of emergency which lasted four days, and a military presence (lasting two of those days) was brought into the city to quell the riot.
Five people were killed by the police, and the headquarters of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (who had won the election) was set on fire. Additional suggested causes for the riot include a change to the electoral system which was not well understood, and an increased division between Mongolia's rich and poor population.
Following the election in August, the MPRP and the MDC signed a power-sharing agreement, forming a coalition government where the Democratic chairman Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj was nominated to become the 23rd Prime Minister of Mongolia.[4] In December 2004, due to internal party disputes regarding the upcoming presidential election, the MDC was dissolved by its own leadership[5] despite all 7 M-MDNSP members of parliament (MP) opposing the dissolution.[6] In 2005, the party infighting ultimately led to five DP members changing parties; four members crossed the floor to the MPRP and founded the New National Party (NNP), whilst Deputy Party Chairman Lamjavyn Gündalai founded his own party (the People's Party),[7] having blamed Prime Minister Elbegdorj for "slow economic growth and inefficient economic policy".[8]
In January 2006, the MPRP was now able to form a majority government without the DP, thanks to the four NNP MPs who had crossed the floor. Subsequently, MPRP ministers who made up around 80% of the Elbegdorj cabinet resigned en masse, therefore knocking down Elbegdorj's government and allowing the party to form a coalition government with the NNP, the M-MDNSP and placing itself at its helm.[3] MPRP chairman Miyeegombyn Enkhbold was nominated the 24th Prime Minister of Mongolia.[9]
In October 2007 during the 25th Party Congress, Sanjiin Bayar was elected the next chairman of the MPRP and later in November, he was nominated the 25th Prime Minister of Mongolia after incumbent Enkhbold was forced to resign due to pressure within his own party.[10][11] Bayar formed another coalition government between the MPRP and the Civil Will Party. He sought to "uproot corruption and bureaucracy".[12]
In May 2006, protestors against the project burned an effigy of Robert Friedland, owner of Ivanhoe Mines, and demanded the companies to pay higher taxes. In response to these demonstrations, the government enacted a new mining tax law allowing it to impose taxes of 68% on gold profits when it exceeds $500 per ounce and copper over $2,600 per tonne. Up until then, the government of Mongolia was firmly in support of foreign-run mining companies. However, delays in government approvals, changes in mining regulation and unstable politics ultimately caused many companies to pull out or reschedule their projects. The regulation of foreign involvement in Mongolia's mining sector has remained a subject to controversy.[14] Both major parties supported the mining agreement, but the MPRP favored a more state-controlled approach, whilst the DP advocated a more pro-market framework.
Before the 2008 election, Gündalai and most members of the People's Party returned to the Democratic Party. Prior to the election, more than 116,000 registered voters were listed twice (under different addresses),[15] the General Election Commission of Mongolia affirmed it would be fixed prior to election day.
The election saw a turnout of 74% and was stated to be "largely free and fair" by international observers. Early results saw the MPRP having taken 47 seats to the DP's 27 and the MPRP declared victory. The DP and many other opposition parties claimed that the election had been fixed by the MPRP with some people voting twice.[12] Republican Party chairman and 2005 presidential nomineeBazarsadyn Jargalsaikhan, Civic Movement Party leaders Jalbasurengiin Batzandan and Otgonjargalyn Magnai held a press conference on July 1, regarding the 2008 electoral fraud. The 3 party leaders and DP chairman Elbegdorj called on the people to protest and contest the unfair election results.[16]
Protests
Protestors clashing with the Police infront of the MPRP headquarters.
On 1 July, a peaceful gathering started in Sukhbaatar Square organized by the leaders of some of the smaller parties that took part in the election. Eventually a large crowd gathered, mainly of young men, surrounding the adjacent MPRP office. The group started throwing rocks at the building and began advancing on it. The National Police Agency responded with tear gas and non-lethal weapons. In the evening, fires were started and looting began.[17] Both the MPRP headquarters and the Central Cultural Palace Building (which houses the National Art Gallery of Mongolia) were set fire by the crowd, estimated to be in the thousands. Art from the gallery (more than 1,000 pieces) were either "destroyed, damaged or looted".[17][18][19] In search for weapons a police station was attacked. Looting continued through the night, despite a 10:00 pm – 8:00 am curfew being set in place. Bricks were thrown at a fire engine, and violence in the streets erupted.[19][20]
"Police will use necessary force to crack down on criminals who are looting private and government property."
A four-day state of emergency, the first in Mongolia's history[22] was declared at by President Enkhbayar, effective 11:30 pm on 1 July.[21] The state of emergency placed and a ban on the sale of alcohol, authorized police to use force to stop the protestors, and prevented television broadcasts outside of those made by state-run stations.[18][22] The crowds got smaller after the state of emergency was enacted, and the police were able to use additional force to stop the looting.[21] By 2 July the military was brought into Ulaanbaatar.[23]
The President upheld the fairness of the elections, and promised investigations into the election as required.[22] He also called an emergency national security meeting with the country's prime minister and opposition party leaders. The meeting was broadcast live on privately-run channel Eagle TV, MPRP chairman and prime minister Sanjiin Bayar blamed Democratic chairman Elbegdorj for "misleading people and inciting violence", echoing claims that he had made earlier that day.[20][21]
Aftermath
The MPRP's headquarters were destroyed by fire during the protests.
By 3 July, the situation had stabilised, with fewer troops patrolling the streets.[23] Five people were killed in the riots,[19] and over 300 people were injured, both civilian and police.[19][22][24] Over 700 arrests were made during the riots, on 7 July more than 200 people were still incarcerated. Allegations of torture of prisoners were brought forward, including one person who was erroneously arrested while trying to preserve a piece of art.[17]
Some commentators and analysts suggested the problems may have been exacerbated by a growing rich/poor divide.[23] Luvsandendev Sumati, from the polling organization Sant Maral Foundation is reported as saying that "the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar have a lot of poor and frustrated youngsters who would use any pretext to get to streets and participate in any turmoil".[22][24] A change from a first-past-the-post election process may have led to a misunderstanding over how a winner is selected.[21][24]
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