Historic Border Deal: Uzbekistan Absorbs Kyrgyz Enclave
Residents of Barak, an exclave in Kyrgyzstan surrounded by Uzbekistan, have finally been resettled as part of a border agreement between the two countries. After years of dispute and suffering, Barak residents are now being relocated to new lands in Kyrgyzstan, with promises of new homes and permanent accommodations.
The border swap deal, which saw Barak absorbed by Uzbekistan in exchange for a parcel of land from Andijon Province, marks the end of a long and tumultuous chapter for the residents of the village. With nearly a hundred houses dismantled and families uprooted, the April 15 deadline for evacuation was met with mixed emotions of loss and relief.
The long-standing border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, exacerbated by Soviet-era mapmaking and political tensions, has now been peacefully resolved, setting an example that disputes need not be eternal. The perseverance and determination of both countries’ leaders, particularly Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, played a crucial role in reaching a sustainable solution.
As Barak residents begin a new chapter in their lives, the hope remains that other enclaves and exclaves in Central Asia can also find peaceful resolutions to their disputes. While each situation is unique and presents its own challenges, the successful relocation of Barak serves as a beacon of hope for diplomatic solutions in the region.
With the deadline for the relocation set on Kyrgyzstan’s independence day in August, the focus now shifts to rebuilding and resettling the residents in their new homes. As the last few remaining families make their way to their new lands, the legacy of Barak’s struggle and eventual resolution will be a testament to the power of diplomacy and cooperation in resolving complex border disputes.
