
Welcome to the 8th edition of Abkhazia Weekly Brief.
This issue delves into the intense debate over the new government fence, expected to significantly impact public opinion. We also cover the anticipated 50% increase in tourism with the opening of Sukhum Airport, and the recent parliamentary hearings on constitutional amendments. Additionally, we report on the significant rise in tax revenues, the ongoing struggle of rural schools, and the launch of the inspiring children's book "Famous Women of Abkhazia." Stay informed with the latest updates and developments from Abkhazia.
The debate in Abkhazia over the new fence around the government complex remains intense. Despite a recent parliamentary session where MP Adgur Kharazia's appeal to stop the fence fell short by three votes, the issue is unresolved. President's envoy to Parliament, Batal Aiba, assured that the fence aligns with democratic norms and doesn’t compromise government transparency.




However, opposition voices are calling for the fence's removal. They argue that it violates Abkhazian cultural values and symbolises division, comparing it to barriers built by historical occupiers and criticising the government for creating divisions among the people.
The NGO "Our Capital" strongly protests President Aslan Bzhania's decision to erect a spiked fence around the Presidential Administration building. They urge the President to reverse this decision, arguing that the fence contravenes the moral and cultural principles of the Abkhazian people and symbolises division. Historically, only occupiers have built such barriers since the Roman invasions of Abkhazia.
The statement criticises the government's divisive approach and warns that this path, intended to preserve authoritarian-oligarchic power, is detrimental to the young state. It calls for dialogue, mutual respect, modern reforms, justice, and equality for all citizens. They appeal to the National Assembly deputies to express their opinions on the fence construction and urge the President to reconsider, avoid inflaming the already tense political climate ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, and not push through anti-state decisions. They hold the President accountable for the consequences of his actions.
Economist Akhra Aristava stated, ‘‘To increase salaries and pensions, we must expand the economy by at least 2.5 times, and raise the country's cash flow from 150 billion roubles (approximately 1.65 billion US dollars) to 300 billion roubles (approximately 3.3 billion US dollars).’’
In the first five months of 2024, tax revenues amounted to 1.8237 billion roubles (approximately 20.1 million US dollars), exceeding the planned 1.5842 billion roubles. This represents 115% of the target, with actual revenues surpassing the plan by 239.5 million roubles (approximately 2.64 million US dollars).
While the government spends millions on a fence around its complex, rural schools struggle. In 2023, 1.4 billion roubles ($15.4M) were spent on electricity transfer, which could have repaired 70-80 schools.
‘Corruption is paid by the poor.’
A video shows Otkhara village school, where 120 students endure poor conditions, lacking even a chemistry teacher. Despite grand statements about the future, Aslan Bzhania ensures his own comfort while children suffer in inadequate learning environments.
A supposed new playground in "Alashara" kindergarten, Pitsunda, funded with 1.2 million roubles (approximately 13,200 US dollars) from the state budget, is missing. A visit revealed only old, unpainted swings, slides, and sandboxes. Despite the allocation, no new playground exists, highlighting a loss of 1.2 million roubles. Meanwhile, the government continues to make grand statements about prioritising children.
Telegram channel RESPUBLIKA alleges that Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania sought an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) from Russia, likely to bolster his image of close ties with Moscow. Despite not being invited to Putin's inauguration or the Victory Day parade, Bzhania secured attendance at SPIEF but was denied a meeting with the Russian President.
President Aslan Bzhania held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), according to the press service of the head of state.
Tourism to Abkhazia is expected to increase by 50% following the opening of Sukhum Airport, President Aslan Bzhania stated in an interview with RIA Novosti at SPIEF 2024. He noted that around 11% of Sochi's air traffic, which handled 12 million passengers last year, comprises travellers to Abkhazia, indicating a potential 1 million passengers.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution "The situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia and South Ossetia" on 4 June 2024, recognising the right of all displaced persons and refugees to return home.
Abkhazia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment, noting that the resolution is adopted annually without considering Abkhazia's views. Despite efforts within the International Geneva Discussions to present their stance, Abkhazia's requests have been ignored. The Ministry criticised the resolution as biased and unreflective of the actual situation in the region, accusing the international community of disregarding Abkhazia's position. The Ministry called on the UN Secretary-General to ensure Abkhazia's participation in relevant UN committees and urged Georgia to engage in dialogue within the Geneva Discussions rather than promoting this resolution.
“Those refugees are not living in a third country but in their own country. Let’s assume the entire former ‘Georgian’ population are allowed to return. Who will guarantee that this mass-return will not cause severe consequences and a new war? Do we need another experiment? Because the whole non-Georgian population perfectly remembers from past history how Abkhazia was when part of Soviet Georgia.”
“For Georgians there is a country called Georgia, their motherland, where they may live freely, but the Abkhazians have no other home.”
“…We all have to be realistic. This will not be possible either in Karabakh, or in South Ossetia, or in Abkhazia. Even in Chechnya… Soon or later we shall see it. As long as we insist on the so-called ‘resolutions’ while ignoring the people who suffered from the conflict, from the war, there will be no peace. I know this is hard to accept for some people, but this is the reality.”
“…We always hear about Georgia's losses, sufferings and solutions to please only one side of the conflict. Why does no-one talk about compensation to Abkhazia(ns) for the losses they suffered in the war that Georgia imposed upon them? In 2010, Vice-President Aleksandr Ankvab estimated the damage done to Abkhazia’s agriculture, industrial base and resorts in the 1992–93 war to be no less than US $13–14 billion. And, of course, this does not take into account the human losses, which must not be forgotten. As mentioned above, every Abkhazian family lost at least one member. If justice is what is being sought, how can there be talk of justice when one side in the conflict is totally sidelined?”
― Metin Sonmez, ‘Abkhazia 1992-2022’ (London, 2022) Foreword.
French researcher Laurent Vinatier pleaded guilty in a Moscow court to failing to register as a foreign agent while gathering information on the Russian military. Vinatier, 47, faces up to five years in prison and remains in pre-trial custody until August 5, despite support from the French embassy for his release.
Laurent Vinatier only ever worked on peace and dialogue projects. Targeting individuals like Vinatier due to international disputes is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with Laurent Vinatier and hope for his swift release.
Here are two insightful articles he has authored for AbkhazWorld:
Parliamentary hearings were held to discuss a draft constitutional law proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia, focusing on the relationship and redistribution of powers between the executive and legislative branches. The proposed changes, submitted by the President, include abolishing the Cabinet of Ministers, and the positions of Prime Minister and Vice Premiers, and introducing a process for appointing ministers with parliamentary approval. The President would have the power to dissolve Parliament and call new elections if a significant number of ministerial positions remain vacant after repeated rejections of candidates. The draft law was generally approved but requires further revisions. Parliament will continue to work on it.
According to official data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia, traffic police issued a total of 7,091 citations for traffic violations in May. Of these, 225 fines were for driving under the influence. This is 15 fewer cases of drunk driving than in April.
Tengiz Sabua from the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that none of the urban beaches in Abkhazia are fully prepared for the start of the swimming season.
Umar Konchev, Chairman of the National Council of "ABAZA" in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, addressed concerns over a video misrepresenting Abaza history and displaying animosity towards Abaza (Abazin) and Abkhazian people.
He reaffirmed historical facts:
The Abaza people have lived on their land for millennia, with territories in the North-West Caucasus and beyond. Until the mid-19th century, they were widely settled across the North-West Caucasus. The northern Abaza resided in "Little Abazia," while the southern Abaza lived in "Great Abazia.
The Abaza flag, a red flag with a right-hand palm, is an ancient symbol documented since the 8th century and significant in Abaza and Abkhazian history.
The end of the Russian-Caucasian War in 1864 saw the last resistance from Abaza tribes, and subsequent migration of their descendants.
Konchev emphasised that true patriots respect and maintain friendly relations with other nations, condemning those who distort history to incite division.
Astanda Chkadua, Head of Public Relations at A-Mobile, announced the launch of the "Apsua Mult" channel, stemming from the successful Alaka Abzhy audio fairy tale project.
The channel addresses the lack of Abkhazian content on YouTube by providing dubbed cartoons in Abkhaz. Available globally via the ahom.biz website and A-Mobile app, "Apsua Mult" aims to promote the Abkhazian language and culture, meeting the demand from parents for native-language content for their children.
On 6 June 2024, the GUMA platform presented the children's book "Famous Women of Abkhazia" (12+), supported by UNICEF and the EU. The book, available in Abkhazian and Russian, features inspiring stories of notable women from various fields in Abkhazia's history, written in a child-friendly language.




Illustrated by local artists, the book aims to motivate young readers. The event included authors, illustrators, and relatives of the women featured.
The Abkhazian group MAYWAY & shiri has created a modern remix of the Abkhaz folk song "Remix." At AW, we have produced a music video for this remix.
Hoping to share another issue with you next Sunday. Have a great day and a wonderful week!