International
Abkhazia’s Leader Resigns Amid Protests Over Pro-Russia Bill
The leader of Abkhazia, Georgia’s breakaway region, has announced his resignation following days of mass protests against a contentious pro-Russia bill.
Aslan Bzhania’s press office stated he was stepping down to “maintain stability and constitutional order” and emphasized that protesters who stormed the parliament in Sukhumi must disperse by Tuesday. The controversial bill, which proposed legalizing Russian investment and land ownership in the region, has since been withdrawn.
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Abkhazia, located along the Black Sea and known for its stunning natural beauty, declared independence in 1999. Russia recognized it as an independent state following the 2008 Georgian-Russian war, though Georgia and most of the international community consider it “occupied” by Moscow.
In a statement posted on Telegram late Monday, Bzhania’s office said his resignation would be reviewed by Abkhazia’s parliament on Tuesday. His deputy is expected to assume the role of acting leader and subsequently dismiss the current prime minister. However, the statement warned that Bzhania would retract his resignation if protesters refused to vacate government buildings.
Bzhania refers to himself as Abkhazia’s president, though his authority is not recognized by Georgia or much of the world. The region’s opposition has yet to comment on his resignation.
The unrest stems from fears that the proposed bill would pave the way for increased Russian investment, potentially pricing locals out of the property market and tightening Moscow’s influence. Abkhazia’s economy heavily relies on Russian tourism, and its ties to Moscow have deepened over the years.
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After a war of secession with Georgia in 1992-93, Abkhazia unilaterally declared independence. In 2009, Moscow signed an agreement to control Abkhazia’s frontiers with Georgia, and in 2014, the two sides entered a “strategic partnership” agreement, further solidifying Russia’s presence in the region.
Protests highlight growing local unease over Abkhazia’s dependence on Russia and the potential erosion of what remains of its autonomy.
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