Aslan Bzhania. Photo: eadaily.
On 16 November 2024, Aslan Bzhania, the leader of breakaway Abkhazia, announced his readiness to resign, but only if protesters stop occupying his administration building in Sukhumi. At a meeting with his supporters in his native village of Tamysh, he said he was ready to hand over power, but only if the opposition stops protests and vacates the government complex. This was reported by TimeUkraineIsrael with reference to liga.
Reasons for the protests and demands of the opposition
The move was a response to the mass protests that gripped Abkhazia after the signing of an investment agreement with Russia, which caused a wave of discontent among citizens. Bzhania’s opponents believe that such agreements only deepen the unrecognised republic’s dependence on Moscow and promote oligarchic expansion. Earlier, against this background, protesters broke into government buildings, calling on the leader of Abkhazia to resign.
Political perspectives of Aslan Bzhania
Despite the opposition’s demands, Bzhania has announced his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election. This adds to the political tension in the country, as opposition forces have repeatedly called for the liberation of government buildings and the resignation of the president.
Economic pressure from Russia
The protests were also caused by economic difficulties: on 1 September, Russia suspended funding for the Abkhaz budget, demanding approval of an investment agreement with Russia. This issue will be the main one to be considered by the parliament on 15 November. The protesters oppose the ratification of the agreement, believing that it will lead to a deterioration of the economic situation and loss of independence.
International context and Georgia’s position
The initiative of the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, to declare Georgia’s possible integration into the European Union by 2030, as well as the need to return the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, highlights the complexity of the international situation around these regions.
Meanwhile, the internal political struggle in Abkhazia is only gaining momentum, and it remains unclear whether Bzhania will be able to maintain his power despite mass protests and external pressure.
