Abkhazia’s President, Aslan Bzhania, has tendered his resignation after late-night negotiations with opposition leaders on November 19, held in the Defense Ministry's headquarters. His press office confirmed the decision to the Moscow Times.
“To preserve stability and uphold the constitutional order in the country, I hereby resign as President of the Republic of Abkhazia,” Bzhania stated in an official message to parliamentary speaker Lasha Ashuba.
The People's Assembly of Abkhazia is set to deliberate on Bzhania's resignation today, November 19.
However, opposition supporters continue to occupy the legislative building.
According to an agreement reached between the government and the opposition, protesters are expected to vacate government buildings in Sukhum seized on November 15. Should they fail to comply, Bzhania has warned he will retract his resignation.
In the interim, Vice President Badra Gunba has assumed the role of acting president, while Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab has also stepped down.
Valery Bganba, a former prime minister, will temporarily fill Ankvab’s position.
The agreement was endorsed by key government figures, including Bzhania, Gunba, Ashuba, and State Customs Committee Chairman Otar Khetsia. Representing the opposition were Adgur Ardzinba, leader of the Abkhaz People’s Movement, MP Kan Kvarchia, and Levan Mikaa, head of the Parliamentary Committee for the Protection of Sovereignty.
The protests, which erupted a week ago, were fueled by widespread opposition to a proposed investment deal with Russia. Critics argued the agreement would grant tax breaks to “foreign oligarchs” and pave the way for foreign exploitation of Abkhazia’s resort sector.
On November 15, as parliament prepared to ratify the deal, opposition demonstrators stormed government buildings in Sukhum, seizing control and demanding Bzhania's resignation.
In response, the president left the capital and later signaled his willingness to step down, while also announcing plans to run in the 2025 presidential elections.
