Sukhumi: The leader of Abkhazia, a Moscow-backed breakaway Georgian region, resigned on Tuesday following mass protests over a controversial deal allowing expanded Russian business in the region. The opposition seized government buildings during the unrest, demanding his resignation and new elections.
“In order to maintain stability and constitutional order in the country… I resign from my post,” said Aslan Bzhania in a signed document shared via his press office’s Telegram channel after hours of negotiations with opposition leaders.
Protests Against Russian Business Expansion
The protests erupted in response to an agreement that would open the Black Sea region’s property market to wealthy Russian investors. Demonstrators accused Bzhania of using Abkhazia’s close ties with Moscow to consolidate power, calling for the deal’s cancellation. Opposition members occupied key government buildings and bridges, including the parliament in Sukhumi.
Bzhania conditioned his resignation on the protesters vacating the parliament building. The agreement to expand Russian investments was set for parliamentary ratification last Friday but was postponed due to the turmoil.
Broader Implications for Moscow
The crisis adds another layer of complexity for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose government has refrained from intervening directly, instead calling for a swift resolution. The upheaval comes as Russia continues its protracted war against Ukraine, now in its 1,000th day.
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A Recurring Pattern in Abkhazian Politics
Bzhania, a former state security chief who became Abkhazia’s leader in 2020, is the third leader to step down under similar circumstances since 2008. His resignation highlights ongoing political instability in the region, where Moscow wields significant influence.
While protesters insist they support strong ties with Russia, they criticized Bzhania for allegedly leveraging these ties to entrench his regime.
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Historical Context
Abkhazia, once a Soviet-era retreat for Moscow’s elite, declared independence from Georgia in the 1990s following the Soviet Union’s collapse. Russia formally recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states in 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. Despite this, most of the international community considers Abkhazia part of Georgia.
The region’s parliament is expected to call an early election, according to reports by Russia’s TASS news agency, although details remain unclear.
