AbkhazWorld: Reflecting on 2024 – A Year of Challenges and Change
Happy New Year from AbkhazWorld!
As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the events that have shaped Abkhazia over the past year. From cultural losses and political upheaval to hopes for a brighter future, the year has been momentous in many ways.
Cultural Devastation: The Central Exhibition Hall Fire
On 21 January 2024, a catastrophic fire engulfed Sukhum’s Central Exhibition Hall, a landmark renowned for hosting exhibitions of Abkhaz and international artists. Tragically, the blaze destroyed nearly the entire collection of the National Art Gallery, including over 4,000 pieces, 300 of which were works by the acclaimed artist Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze. The loss is a profound blow to Abkhazian art and culture.
Political Turmoil and Resistance
Under President Aslan Bzhania’s administration, opposition parties, civil society organisations, and individuals faced increasing attempts to label them as foreign agents and enemies of the state. Despite this, public pressure successfully thwarted the introduction of the controversial "Foreign Agents" law, which failed even to reach parliamentary discussions. Hopes remain high that upcoming elections in February 2025 will usher in a government more supportive of civil society.
Energy Crisis and Crypto Mining
Cryptocurrency mining persisted throughout the year despite government efforts to curtail it. The practice significantly contributed to the worsening energy crisis, exacerbated by the cessation of Russian aid in late 2024.
Resignation of the Foreign Minister
Inal Ardzinba, the divisive Minister of Foreign Affairs, resigned this year, and seasoned politician Sergey Shamba took on the role a few months later. This change has been widely regarded as a stabilising move.
Legislative Setbacks and Public Victory
Two controversial legislative proposals – the "Apartment Law" and the Russian “Investment Agreement” – were both rejected following intense public backlash. The rejection of these measures, along with the failed "Foreign Agents" law, highlighted growing public opposition to policies seen as undermining national sovereignty.
Geneva Discussions: A Stalemate
The Geneva International Discussions once again yielded no tangible progress this year. Georgia continued to refuse signing a non-use of force agreement, underscoring the lack of meaningful outcomes from these negotiations. Nevertheless, the platform remains vital for voicing Abkhazia’s perspectives on the international stage.
Protests and Presidential Resignation
The most significant event of 2024 was the wave of protests against the proposed Russian Investment Agreement, which ultimately led to President Bzhania’s resignation and the announcement of early elections. These developments have set the stage for potential political transformation in 2025.
Russian Sanctions and Isolation
In response to the rejection of the “investment agreement” and other policies, Russia imposed further economic sanctions on Abkhazia. The use of embargoes as a tool to enforce compliance continues to underscore Abkhazia’s precarious position under Russian influence.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The February 2025 elections will be pivotal for Abkhazia’s future. While no new international recognitions are expected, strengthening ties with Türkiye, including the potential launch of the Trabzon-Sukhum ferry route, could alleviate Abkhazia’s isolation and reduce its dependence on Russia. However, there are numerous reasons that dampen optimism regarding progress in these areas...
In Memoriam
This year, Abkhazia mourned the loss of several prominent figures:
Vitaly Sharia, one of Abkhazia’s most respected journalists, passed away at 72.
Dr Paula Garb, an esteemed American scholar and conflict studies expert, passed away.
Mirra Khotilashvili-Inal-Ipa, a revered historian and archaeologist, died at the age of 95.
Saria Amichba, a distinguished linguist and academic, passed away at 89.
Albert Topolyan, a Hero of Abkhazia and prominent political figure, passed away at 89.
Kafkas Atrishba, a veteran of the Abkhazian Patriotic War and esteemed advisor in Türkiye, passed away.
A Heartfelt Thank You to AbkhazWorld's Supporters
As we look back on 2024, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to those who have been instrumental in supporting AbkhazWorld’s work this year.
At the forefront of this support is Beslan Agrba, whose unwavering assistance in all our projects and during moments of need has been invaluable. We extend our sincere thanks for his dedication and belief in our mission. We are also deeply grateful to Muhammed Kapba for his steadfast support of our efforts.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the London Abkhaz-Adyghe Association, who stood by us whenever we needed.
We would also like to thank Edmond Gurguri, Erkan Ertekin, Aziz Ozan Genç, Ergun Özgür, Atay Ceyişakar, Usibadesign, Dodge Billingsley and AbhazFed, for their donations towards our work. Over the past two years, our expenses have significantly increased due to the growing number of projects, the expansion of tools and subscriptions we rely on, and the need for more human resources.
As you know, there are no international organisations that support entities like ours working for Abkhazia. Despite these constraints, we strive to do our very best with the limited resources available to us. Your support is therefore not only appreciated but essential to our continued efforts.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for standing with us and helping us make a difference.
Closing Thoughts
As we bid farewell to 2024, we remain hopeful for a brighter and more stable future. AbkhazWorld will continue to provide updates and insights as we enter a critical year for Abkhazia. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared journey.