Akhra Aristava: "The Political Process is Becoming Increasingly Radical"
The parliament's decision-making approach that night dramatically altered the internal political dynamics of our country.
Abkhazian economist Akhra Aristava shared his insights with "Ekho Kavkaza (Echo of the Caucasus)" regarding the events surrounding the late-night ratification by the parliament of the Pitsunda state datcha (residence) agreement, and the new political landscape that Abkhazia faces following these developments.
Elena Zavodskaya: Akhra, what is your perspective on the events of December 27th night concerning the ratification by the Abkhazian parliament of the Pitsunda state residence agreement?
Akhra Aristava: From my standpoint, this was decidedly negative. The parliament's decision-making approach that night dramatically altered the internal political dynamics of our country.
In what way?
- The parliament had been maintaining a delicate balance of political stability in our state. Now, this equilibrium has been virtually nullified. Previously, the parliament avoided topics that lacked societal consensus. This included issues like the Pitsunda state residence, apartment policies, judicial decision recognition, and energy policy. There were numerous such topics. The People's Assembly deputies, acknowledging the lack of societal agreement, did not address these issues. Recall the summer incident when the state head demanded a resolution on apartment issues in the Public Chamber, and the deputies simply adjourned for holidays. This act had actually increased public trust in them. However, now, by undermining the fragile political stability and voting on a divisive issue, they've ushered in an entirely new reality where no mechanism exists to ensure political stability.
I want to remind everyone that our young nation struggles with peaceful power transitions. We have yet to experience a shift from one political force to another without severe political crises. The deputies' previous conduct had inspired hope for a peaceful approach to the upcoming elections, ensuring a smooth and lawful transition. Today, no one can assure a peaceful progression due to the absence of a mediator between the executive power, opposition, and a significant segment of the populace.
A Stand for Sovereignty: Abkhazian Opposition Launches New Political Platform

SUKHUM / AQW'A — In Sukhum, on Monday, 8 January 2024, a critical press conference unfolded where opposition leaders forcefully denounced the ratification of the "Pitsunda state dacha agreement". Asserting its illegality, they highlighted violations of parliamentary procedures, the Constitution of Abkhazia, and various laws. This significant move included their withdrawal from the current opposition bloc, coupled with a firm commitment to establish a new platform aimed at countering the government's actions, perceived as detrimental to the nation's sovereignty.
The conference, which brought together notable Abkhazian figures, focused on scrutinising the recent parliamentary decision to transfer part of Pitsunda's territory to the Russian Federation's Federal Security Service, marking a critical juncture in the nation's political landscape.
Akhra Bzhania, a former parliamentarian and leader of the veteran organisation "Ahyatsa," condemned the ratification as illegal. He stressed that it contravened the constitutional law governing the People's Assembly's procedures:
"The People's Assembly's regulations, as a constitutional law, clearly outline the decision-making process. Specifically, it stipulates the timing of session meetings, with exceptions only in cases of war, emergency, or terrorist acts. This is the first time I've seen constitutional and ordinary legislation amendments being made outside of prescribed parliamentary procedures. The process requires bringing the issue to a committee meeting for a vote, then to the parliament for a first reading. The adoption of these amendments, bypassing these steps, is an act of desperation by the deputies to pass this law. I find this absolutely unacceptable and believe it has caused serious damage to our society, contrasting starkly with the president's opinion and the majority of deputies who voted in that session."
Levan Mikaa, the leader of the Committee for the Protection of the Sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia, highlighted the internal rift within the opposition. Ratified by Abkhaz parliament deputies on the night of December 27, the agreement transferred the "Pitsunda" state dacha to Russian jurisdiction. While some in the opposition viewed the ratification as a victory, others at the press conference labelled it a self-deception, rejecting the proposed compromise. The compromise involved adopting additional laws that supposedly would later modify the agreement to favour Abkhazia's interests. Mikaa informed that no such beneficial changes were made to the agreement. The Committee's unequivocal demand was to cancel the parliamentary session, revoke the agreement, form a conciliation commission, align the agreement's text with Abkhazia's Constitution and laws, and then resubmit it for ratification. Instead, Mikaa accused the deputies of making a secretive decision early in the morning, in violation of their own regulations.
Leuan Lagulaa Asserts: Sovereignty, the Only Way Forward for Abkhazia
In a statement, Leuan Lagulaa, Director of ApsnyHabar, underscores the critical importance of independence and sovereignty for Abkhazia's future. Addressing the nation's current socio-political challenges, Lagulaa advocates for a new political direction to safeguard Abkhazia's statehood and national identity. His message reflects a deep commitment to revitalizing the nation's political landscape and asserts a clear vision for its path forward.
Below is the full transcript of Leuan Lagulaa's compelling address, presenting his vision for the nation's future:
"Independence and sovereignty represent the irrefutable path for the development of the Abkhazian state. In this era marked by significant socio-political transformations, Abkhazia finds itself at a pivotal juncture, facing decisions that will shape its future. Confronted with threats to its statehood and identity, the urgency to establish a new political platform becomes paramount, one that staunchly defends the true interests of the people.
Deviation from the True Ideals of the Abkhaz People Amidst Pitsunda's Alienation
The current political actors in Abkhazia have long deviated from the fundamental principles intended to underpin state policy: independence, sovereignty, and freedom. Alexander Ankvab, Raul Khazhimba, and Aslan Bzhania, the three presidents of Abkhazia in the past 13 years, have witnessed significant shifts. During the reign of two among them, 300 hectares of Abkhazian territory were alienated. Raul Khazhimba, to this date, has not publicly clarified his stance on the partial loss of Abkhazia's sovereignty.
The prolonged confrontation between the two major political factions has evolved into a battle for resources, plunging society into deep apathy and eroding faith in the ideals of the Abkhaz national project. Given the extreme external political circumstances, the emergence of a new political force, grounded in the fundamental principles of independence and sovereignty as the indisputable course for the Abkhazian state's development, is timely.
Constraints of Civil Organizations in Defending National Interests
Though civil organisations are instrumental in protecting citizens' interests, their influence and capacity are inherently limited. They cannot wholly substitute for the absence of a robust, independent, and nationally-focused political force that can responsibly steer the country's future.
The events that transpired in the Parliament Square from December 26th to 27th starkly underscore this reality, where the perspectives and efforts of the nationally-oriented civil society were essentially overlooked. At this historical moment, a political platform emerges as the sole effective means to genuinely represent the people's interests.
The establishment of a new opposition platform marks a step towards rejuvenating nationally-oriented politics. This platform must emerge as a unifying force for all those committed to preserving Abkhazia's independence and distinctiveness.
Upholding Independence and Sovereignty
At a press conference held in Sukhum on January 8th, participants of the new political platform declared their commitment to defending the sovereignty of Abkhazia and its right to independence in making fateful decisions. Levan Mikaa, Alkhas Zhindzhal, Akhra Bzhania, Lasha Zukhba, and Tengiz Dzhopua called upon society to consolidate the efforts of all nationally-oriented forces. This coalition aims to establish a potent and efficient political force, capable of halting the government's trajectory towards the erosion of Abkhazian statehood.
The platform is poised to propose distinct, realistic, and actionable strategies for national development, diverging from those put forth by the existing political factions.
Leuan Lagulaa, Chief Editor of ApsnyHabar.
Asida Shakryl: "Only in this way can we cleanse ourselves of hypocrisy, lies, baseness, and betrayal."
Asida Shakryl, Former Human Rights Commissioner in Abkhazia:
"On the night of December 26 to 27, 2023, Abkhazia lost the best part of its territory, effectively ceding it to another state. It was a tragic night that will have far-reaching consequences for the Abkhazian state. The deputies of the parliament almost unanimously voted for the surrender of the sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia. I am confident that the day will come when all those involved in this crime and conspiracy will sit in the dock in accordance with our Constitution and laws.
Today, unfortunately, they will escape punishment, because there is no independent judiciary in the country. But it is unlikely that they will be able to avoid public condemnation. In Abkhaz society, immoral actions have not gone without response. Everyone who believes that these people have committed a crime can already punish them today by refusing to shake their hands, refusing to share joy or sorrow with them. Only in this way can we cleanse ourselves of hypocrisy, lies, baseness, and betrayal.
With respect to all who remain loyal to their people and have preserved the memory of their history."
Abkhazian Cult of Thunder and Lightning and its North Caucasian Parallels, by Viacheslav Chirikba
Abkhazian cult of thunder and lightning and its North Caucasian parallels
Абхазский культ грома и молнии и его северокавказские параллели
Author: Viacheslav Chirikba
Year: 2023
Place of Publication: Moscow, Russia
Published by: Anthropologies, No:2 - Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Russian Academy of Science.
Number of pages: 26 (pp.5-25)
Language: Russian
Abstract
The article is devoted to a review of rituals previously practiced in Abkhazia, the Western Caucasus and Ossetia associated with the cult of thunder and lightning, as well as a discussion of the mysterious term chop(p)a associated with this cult and its phonetic
variants, often used in the song accompaniment of the burial ceremony of lightning victims. The question is raised about the possibility of postulating the Caucasian mythological union (according to the model of the supposed Caucasian language union), as well as local unions of mythological systems of the peoples of the Caucasus.
Pshemakho Kotsev: Former President of the North Caucasian Republic
By Amerbi Karmov — The subject of revolution and civil war in the North Caucasus invariably garners heightened interest from a broad readership. This interest stems from the complex situation that emerged in this region, characterised by a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional population and compounded by unresolved land issues in the Terek area. Thus, unlike in central Russia, where civil strife was primarily based on class differentiation—the struggle of the proletariat allied with peasantry against the bourgeoisie—the lines of civil conflict in the Terek initially followed ethnic markers. This confrontation was further intensified by the involvement of various political forces in armed conflict. Soviet regional historiography's oversimplification and glossing over these complexities led to the substitution of the intricate, multidimensional historical narrative of the peoples with a simplistic construct of the "Reds" versus the "Whites". The most selfless individuals, dedicated to serving the people, were pigeonholed under ideological labels like "counter-revolutionary nationalist bourgeoisie", "anti-people social elites", "world bourgeoisie's fllowers", etc. Among them is Pshemakho Kotsev [in Circassian: Куэцэ Пщымахуэ -Ed.], a figure largely unknown to the general public, except to a small circle of Caucasian historians.
Pshemakho Tamashvich Kotsev was born on 12 April 1884 into the family of Kabardian noble Kotsev Tamash Khustinovich in the village of Babukovo (now Sarmakovo, Zolsky District in Kabardino-Balkaria). Pursuant to his father's wishes, he received his initial education in Pyatigorsk, and later continued at the Novorossiysk Gymnasium, graduating successfully in 1905. In 1910, Pshemakho Kotsev completed his law degree at Saint Petersburg University, receiving a first-class diploma with all rights accorded by the general statute of the Imperial Russian universities.
Pshemakho Kotsev's career as a judicial official in the Novocherkassk Judicial Chamber began on 22 November 1910 in Yekaterinodar (now Krasnodar), starting as a junior judicial candidate. He became an assistant sworn attorney on 27 June 1911, and a sworn attorney of the district from 31 March 1916.