2024 Abkhazian protests

2024 Abkhazian protests
Date
  • 11–12 November 2024 (first phase)
  • 15–19 November 2024 (second phase)
Location
Republic of Abkhazia, mainly Sukhumi
Caused by
  • Opposition to the Abkhazia–Russia investment agreement
  • Opposition to President Aslan Bzhania
  • Detention of opposition activists (first phase)
Goals
  • Cancellation of the investment agreement
  • Resignation of Bzhania and his government
  • Release of opposition activists (first phase)
Methods
Resulted in
Parties

Abkhazia Coordination Council for Overcoming the Political Crisis:

Lead figures
Number
15 November: ~5,000[5]
16 November: 10,000[6]
Casualties
Injuries15 November: ≥9

Protests in the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia began on 11 November 2024 after the arrest of five opposition activists who opposed an investment agreement with Russia. Protesters blocked roads in Sukhumi and attempted to storm the State Security Service building, demanding the release of detainees. On 12 November the activists were released. However, the protests continued with even greater force on 15 November, when protesters broke into the buildings of Parliament, Government and the Presidential Administration, making another demand for the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania and his government, which exiled to the village of Tamishi before eventually announcing its resignation after four days of negotiations, with Vice President Badra Gunba becoming acting president.[7][8]

Opposition representatives claimed that the protest was not aimed at worsening the relations between Russia and Abkhazia, but stated that Bzhania "has been trying to use these relations for his own selfish interests, manipulating them for the sake of strengthening his regime".[9][4]

  1. ^ Boyarsky, Alexei (2024-11-16). "«Передайте своим олигархам, что их здесь не ждут»: репортаж Forbes из Абхазии". Forbes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  2. ^ Gluschenkova, Darya (2024-11-18). "Что происходит в Абхазии и почему оппозиция требует отставки действующего президента Аслана Бжании". Московские новости (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  3. ^ "Партия «Амцахара»: Призываем оппозиционные силы разблокировать дороги и вернуться в правовое поле" [Amtsakhara Party: We call on the opposition forces to unblock the roads and return to the legal field]. www.amtsakhara.org (in Russian). 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  4. ^ a b c "Президент Абхазии Бжания заявил о готовности провести досрочные выборы" [Chairman of the Board of Directors has requested you to contact us]. Постньюс (in Russian). 2024-11-16. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  5. ^ "Оппозиция Абхазии рассказала о количестве участников протестов в субботу - Газета.Ru | Новости". Газета.Ru (in Russian). 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  6. ^ "Abkhazia protests against a controversial investment deal with Russia, demand president's resignation. 15-16 November, 2024". JAMnews. Sukhumi. 2024-11-16. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  7. ^ "Глава Абхазии Бжания подал в отставку на фоне протестов – DW – 19.11.2024". dw.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  8. ^ "Обнародовано соглашение об отставке Аслана Бжании". Кавказский Узел. 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ "Protesters storm parliament in breakaway Georgia region of Abkhazia over Russia deal". CNN. 2024-11-15. Retrieved 2024-11-16.