The separatist leader of the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia resigned on Tuesday, following days of violent unrest that saw opposition supporters seize key government buildings and clash with police.
Self-styled Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania resigned following the protests, which resulted in at least 14 injuries, triggered by new measures allowing Russian citizens to purchase property in the region.
Unrest erupted in the capital, Sukhumi, on Friday, as opposition demonstrators clashed with police outside the parliament and stormed government buildings in response to the property law, which they say deepens Abkhazia’s dependence on Moscow.
Why Did Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania Resign?
Lawmakers had gathered on Friday to discuss ratifying the property law, but the session was abruptly postponed as protesters stormed the building’s gates using a truck, throwing rocks and engaging in violent confrontations with police.
Authorities responded with tear gas and force.
The unrest followed the arrest of five opposition leaders during a previous demonstration, triggering further protests that saw key bridges leading into Sukhumi blocked by protesters.
The demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Bzhania, who has maintained close ties with Russia.
Bzhania, who had been in power since 2020, initially offered to step down if protesters vacated the government buildings.
After tense negotiations, an agreement was reached on Tuesday, with Bzhania resigning and the opposition agreeing to end the occupation of the government facilities.
Bzhania’s resignation was swiftly approved by Abkhazia’s Parliament.
Russian state media reported that the resignation was formalized after more than nine hours of talks, with Abkhazian Vice President Badra Gunba taking over as acting president.
Why Does Abkhazia Want Independence From Georgia?
Despite the shift in leadership, many locals remain wary of Abkhazia’s growing dependence on Russia.
Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia in 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 2008, Russia formally recognized Abkhazia as an independent state after a short war with Georgia.
However, the breakaway region, with a population of around 245,000, remains heavily reliant on Russian economic and military support.
The new property law was seen by many as further evidence of Moscow’s increasing influence over the region.
Why Is Abkhazia’s Future Uncertain?
Abkhazia, with its picturesque mountains and Black Sea coastline, has become a popular destination for Russian tourists, leading to growing demand for vacation homes.
However, many Abkhazians are concerned that the influx of Russian property buyers could erode their sovereignty, which they fear could turn the region into a client state of Russia.
With the resignation of Bzhania and the end of the building occupations, a fragile calm has been restored for now.
But the underlying tensions over Abkhazia’s relationship with Russia—and the broader question of its independence from Georgia—remain unresolved.
Abkhazia’s future remains uncertain, with residents divided over whether closer ties with Russia are a necessary safeguard against Georgian efforts to regain control, or a threat to the region’s long-term autonomy.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
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