Thread by @terjehelland

🇬🇪Occupied Georgia. Let’s talk about Abkhazia, an occupied part of Georgia. This small, Black Sea coastal territory has been at the center of historical conflicts, ethnic tensions, and geopolitical struggles.
🧵Here is the background and why this week’s unrest matters so much
/25

Abkhazia was historically part of medieval Georgian kingdoms. It became a principality in the 15th century and eventually part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century. After the Soviet Union's collapse, tensions in the region escalated.
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In 1992-1993, a brutal war erupted between Abkhaz separatists and Russian forces, and Georgian forces. The war marked one of the darkest chapters in post-Soviet history.
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During the conflict, ethnic Georgians—who made up around 45.7% of Abkhazia’s population (about 240,000 people)—were targeted in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
Entire villages were destroyed, and thousands were killed.
4/25

https://x.com/AnnaGvarishvili/status/1823781690852180324

By the war’s end, an estimated 200,000–250,000 ethnic Georgians and some others were forcibly displaced from their homes in Abkhazia. Most have not been able to return to this day. The UN and international organizations condemned these actions as ethnic cleansing.
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The war left Abkhazia under de facto control of separatists, supported by occupying Russian forces. Despite its "independence" claim, only Russia and a handful of other countries recognize Abkhazia as a separate state.
6/25

Russia has exerted significant influence over Abkhazia since then, providing military "protection" and economic "aid." However, these measures have increasingly tied Abkhazia’s future to 🇷🇺 Moscow, limiting its autonomy.
7/25

Fast-forward to today: Abkhazia is still an occupied region of Georgia. The majority of the world, including the UN, considers it part of Georgia’s territory.
But tensions remain high.
8/25

In November 2024, widespread protests erupted in Abkhazia. At the heart of the unrest is a controversial investment treaty with Russia, granting Russian companies preferential terms, including tax breaks and potential property ownership.
9/25 aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/1…

The treaty, signed in October 2024, was seen as another step toward eroding Abkhazia’s autonomy. Opposition groups accuse the government, led by President Aslan Bzhania, of prioritizing Russian interests over local needs.
10/25

Five opposition leaders, vocal critics of the treaty, were arrested in early November. Their detention sparked protests, with demonstrators blocking key roads and bridges leading to the capital, Sokhumi.
11/25

https://x.com/JAMnewsCaucasus/status/1856056027818398104

The protests escalated, forcing the government to release the detained leaders. However, the unrest highlighted a deeper frustration among Abkhazians over Russian dominance in the region.
12/25 edition.cnn.com/2024/11/15/eur…

Abkhazia’s opposition argues that the treaty is part of a broader pattern of Russian encroachment. They fear economic dependence will lead to further loss of sovereignty, mirroring the region’s history of external control.
13/25 sakartvelosambebi.ge/en/news/protes…

This isn’t the first time public anger over Russian influence has erupted. In 2023, protests flared over the transfer of a prime Black Sea resort to Russian ownership. The fear of “selling out” to Moscow is widespread.
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Russia’s strategic interest in Abkhazia is clear: control over a Black Sea coastline, a foothold in the South Caucasus, and leverage over Georgia. Its influence is economic, military, and political.
15/25

Meanwhile, the Georgian Dream @GeorgianDream41 government has faced criticism for its passive response to the situation. Advocacy groups accuse Tbilisi of failing to challenge Russia’s actions in Abkhazia or adequately advocate for the rights of displaced Georgians.
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Ethnic Georgians, who were forced out during the 1992–1993 war, remain displaced to this day. Their voices are often sidelined in discussions about Abkhazia’s future, leaving them in a state of limbo.
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The scars of the ethnic cleansing are still visible. The demographic void left by the expulsion of Georgians drastically altered the region, making reconciliation and return even harder to achieve.
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The November protests have drawn international attention to Abkhazia’s precarious position. It’s a stark reminder of the ongoing geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the West in the South Caucasus.
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dailywrap.ca/protests-in-ab…

As of now, tensions in Abkhazia remain high. A major opposition rally is planned for November 15, coinciding with parliamentary discussions on ratifying the investment treaty.
20/25 civil.ge/archives/635655

The outcome of these discussions could shape Abkhazia’s trajectory—either deepening its economic dependence on Russia or sparking a stronger push for sovereignty among its population. A Georgian EU membership would probably also increase the interest for reunification 🇬🇪.
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For Georgia, Abkhazia remains a painful and unresolved issue. For Russia, it’s a strategic pawn. And for Abkhazia’s people, the question of identity and autonomy is more pressing than ever.
22/25 oc-media.org/russia-cuts-fi…

Understanding Abkhazia requires looking at its complex history: its ties to Georgia, its brutal war, the ethnic cleansing of Georgians, and its entanglement with Russian interests.
#BeforeBuchaWasAbkhazia
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Today, Abkhazia is at a crossroads. Protests and debates about sovereignty reflect the region’s struggles with its past and uncertainties about its future.
The world is watching.
24/25

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25/25buymeacoffee.com/terjehelland