Larry Lee
Business Times
Nov 19, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing a destabilizing crisis in Abkhazia, a breakaway Georgian region that has long been under Moscow’s control. The turmoil erupted after widespread protests against an investment agreement with Russia escalated into what local leaders described as a potential coup. Demonstrators seized government buildings in the capital, Sukhumi, demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania and his cabinet.
The protests, which began on November 12, were driven by fears that the proposed deal with Moscow would deepen Russian influence and undermine local economic interests. Demonstrators stormed Abkhazia’s parliament and attempted to seize control of the state television headquarters, prompting security forces to fire warning shots. “The demonstrators are protesting against the adoption of an investment agreement between the republic and Russia; their actions are anti-Russian in nature,” Bzhania said in a statement.
Bzhania, who has held power since 2020, has faced increasing opposition over his close ties with Moscow. “You have to understand, this is not about anti-Russian sentiment,” a protest leader told the German news outlet Deutsche Welle. “This is about our president using ties with Moscow for his own gain.” In response to the unrest, Bzhania announced he would withdraw the contentious investment measure from parliamentary consideration but resisted calls to immediately resign. “When they leave the building, I will write a letter of resignation, and we will see how much support they receive in the new elections,” he told Russia’s RIA Novosti.
Despite Bzhania’s concessions, opposition leaders are demanding a complete government overhaul. “The entire cabinet of ministers must resign, then new leaders will be appointed,” said a spokesperson for the opposition. They also rejected Bzhania’s plan to maintain control over the security apparatus during any transition. The protests, which have been marked by intense public anger, reflect deep-seated dissatisfaction with governance and fears over Russian dominance in the region.
The Kremlin, for its part, has urged restraint and described the situation as a “crisis.” Moscow has advised Russian citizens to avoid travel to Abkhazia amid the escalating unrest. So far, Russia has refrained from direct intervention, but reports indicate that pro-Moscow separatist forces, including members of the “Wild Division” involved in the 2014 Donbas conflict, may have entered Abkhazia to support Bzhania’s government. Akhra Avidzba, a commander of the Donetsk separatists, was seen traveling in the region, further heightening tensions.
The unrest places Putin in a difficult position, balancing the need to maintain stability in the breakaway region with broader geopolitical considerations. Abkhazia, with a population of
approximately 245,000, has been a strategic foothold for Russia since Georgia’s 2008 war with Moscow. While Russia and a few other nations recognize Abkhazia as independent, the international community, including the United States, continues to view it as part of Georgia.
The protests reflect broader regional instability, exacerbated by the proposed agreement between Russia’s Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Abkhazian counterpart Kristina Ozgan. Protesters fear the deal would push locals out of the property market and strengthen Russian control. “This is about economic survival,” a protester said. “We are not anti-Russian. We are against losing control over our land.”
Bzhania has framed the unrest as an attempted coup but indicated a willingness to step down if the occupation of government buildings ceases. South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev, who leads another Russian-backed breakaway region, offered support to Bzhania during a phone call over the weekend.