Georgia–Abkhazia Conflict

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Bidzina Ivanishvili at the opening ceremony of a new Georgian Dream office and launch of their pre-election campaign. Photo: Georgian Dream.

2008 August War

Abkhazia welcomes Georgia’s intent to ‘apologise’ for 2008 War

by OC Media

•2 min read

Abkhazia has welcomed statements made by the founder of Georgia’s ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, in which he pledged to ‘apologise’ to the Ossetian people for the 2008 War, saying that it could lead to ‘peaceful coexistence’. In a statement issued on Monday, Abkhazia’s Foreign Ministry said that ‘such a statement, if supported by real steps towards reconciliation based on a reassessment of past mistakes and apologies to the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the rejection of methods of

The Interview between Sergey Shamba and Vakhtang Kolbaia hosted by journalist Vano Chokoraia. Screengrab via Youtube.

Abkhazia

Anger after Abkhazia’s Security Council head speaks with member of Abkhazian Government in Tbilisi

by Tata Shoshiashvili

•2 min read

Abkhazia’s Security Council Secretary Sergey Shamba said in an interview with a member of the Abkhazian Government in Tbilisi that dialogue is needed to ‘overcome the conflict’. On Wednesday, Georgian journalist Vano Chokoraia hosted a 21-minute interview on the Georgia–Abkhazia conflict with Shamba and Vakhtang Kolbaia, a member of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. Shamba, who has previously served as Abkhazia’s foreign minister and prime minister, stated that ‘if

A helicopter and soldier taking part in the search. Screengrab via Apsny Yakhya

Abkhazia

Unease in Abkhazia after manhunt for ‘armed saboteurs’ provides no answers

by OC Media

•2 min read

A search for ‘armed saboteurs’ in Abkhazia has found ‘no trace’ after searching throughout the night, leading to questions if an incursion actually took place. Reports of the supposed incursion first emerged in a Telegram post on Wednesday night by Russian state propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. The post, which has since been deleted, claimed that a ‘sabotage group’ of ‘up to 50 people’ had entered Abkhazia with the aim of committing an act of terrorism against Sukhumi (Sukhum) airport. He st

Abkhazia

International Geneva delegation banned from entering Abkhazia

by OC Media

•3 min read

Abkhazia’s foreign minister has announced that a delegation of the co-chairs of the EU, UN, and OSCE-led Geneva International Discussions have been forbidden entry into Abkhazia. The quarterly discussions have brought together representatives of Georgia, Russia, the US, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia since the August 2008 War. Abkhazia’s Foreign Minister, Inal Ardzinba, said the measure in response to the ‘unilateral’ decision by the co-chairing organisations to cancel the negotiations schedul

Daur Buava. Photo: Tata Shoshiashvili/OC Media

Abkhazia

The Abkhaz blogger charged with treason for calling for unification

by Tata Shoshiashvili

•4 min read

Abkhazian blogger Daur Buava gained over 60,000 followers on TikTok after posting videos calling for peace between Georgians and Abkhazians. But the reactions have not always been positive, and Buava now faces treason charges in Abkhazia for his stance on Abkhazian independence. When Daur Buava first joined TikTok in early 2020, he steered clear of politics, focusing on Christian scripture and morals and speaking against divisions between Muslims and Christians. But this soon changed, and in t

The president's residence in Sukhumi. Photo: Wikipedia.

Abkhazia

As Abkhazia calls for dialogue, will Tbilisi answer?

by Shota Kincha

•8 min read

Since a change of power in Abkhazia in March, the new authorities in Sukhumi (Sukhum) have made repeated calls for increased dialogue with Tbilisi. But with Georgia on the eve of parliamentary elections, it is not yet clear if Georgia will take them up. The day after being elected president of Abkhazia on 22 March, Aslan Bzhaniya voiced his wish to see Abkhazian-Georgian dialogue. He suggested that in parallel to the current Geneva format of dialogue, Abkhazian and Georgian officials needed

Abkhazia

Georgia’s medical programme for Abkhazians and South Ossetians may be at risk

by Dato Parulava

•10 min read

Every year, hundreds of patients travel from Abkhazia and South Ossetia to Tbilisi to take advantage of free medical treatment provided by the Georgian government. However, a cut to coverage of diagnostics, a lack of clear information, and opposition from Tskhinvali are putting the success of the programme at risk. ‘When I first arrived, I didn’t know what to expect from Georgians,’ says Gunda (not her real name). ‘I thought people would be aggressive towards us, but I was amazed to find out i