Abkhazian Political Organisations Condemn Election Manipulations in Joint Statement

SUKHUM / AQW’A —  Abkhazian political parties and public organisations have issued a strong joint statement condemning alleged disinformation and manipulation in the current political landscape. The statement, signed by multiple political groups, accuses certain actors of distorting facts, misleading the public, and engaging in divisive electoral tactics. The organisations firmly reject any attempt to revive what they describe as “anti-people” governance and call for accountability from political figures linked to Aslan Bzhania’s administration.

The statement outlines concerns over past political decisions and raises questions about key figures’ roles in recent crises. It also demands public explanations from presidential candidate Badra Gunba and calls for legal action in cases of alleged political violence.

The statement concludes with a call for national unity, urging citizens to remain calm, resist provocations, and stand against manipulative political tactics. Below is the full text of the statement.

Joint Statement by Republican Political Parties and Public Organisations

29 January 2025

Our opponents have once again resorted to underhanded tactics, seeking to distort reality. By distorting words and phrases out of context, they attempt to discredit Adgur Ardzinba’s team, falsely attributing absurd fabrications to him and misleading the public. We condemn such methods as manipulative and entirely lacking in constructive foundation. The spread of misinformation targeting opposition candidates and politicians has gone beyond all acceptable limits.

At the same time, those now masquerading as “defenders of the people” have, for the past five years, supported the regime of Aslan Bzhania—a regime that has pushed the country to the brink of crisis and collapse. They endorsed his policies, which eroded the foundations of Abkhazian statehood, undermined national ideology, and compromised sovereignty, inflicting lasting harm on the future of our people.

Today, pseudo-patriots hungry for power are shamelessly exploiting the words of a Hero of Abkhazia—a veteran of the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia. This individual, who defended the homeland from the very first days of the war, merely stated that the Abkhazian people must do everything possible to prevent the return of an anti-people regime. Yet cynical politicians are twisting his words, stoking hysteria to serve their own agendas.

We fully support A. Shinkuba (a war veteran —Ed.) and firmly believe that restoring to power those who have lost the people’s trust would once again bring our homeland to the brink of catastrophe. The Abkhazian people will no longer tolerate lies, lawlessness, manipulation, and destructive governance that robs them of their future.

It is important to recall that it was the organisation Amtsakhara that orchestrated the removal of Vladislav Ardzinba, the founder of our state and the commander-in-chief of the victorious army. Not a single representative of this group has acknowledged their culpability for those events or borne any political responsibility. On the contrary, Amtsakhara continued to mislead society by fabricating a false biography of Aslan Bzhania, whose presidency has plunged the country into crisis.

We therefore demand answers:

• Where were these politicians when A. Bzhania declared that the state had “one more bullet than necessary”?
• Why did they remain silent when veterans were beaten on Victory Day?
• Where was their reaction when the Council of Elders was insulted?
• Why did they not oppose the destruction of the national energy sector through the legalisation of [crypto] mining?
• What was their stance on the issue of apartments, which were being pushed forward at the expense of national interests?
• Why did they remain silent when the head of the Ochamchira district, now a vice-presidential candidate, wounded two people?
• Why did they not protest when, at the instigation of A. Bzhania, the majority of our people were accused of disloyalty to Russia on Russian federal television channels?
• Why did they not defend national interests when a harmful agreement on “investments” was being adopted?
•  Why did they not react when A. Bzhania exceeded his powers, taking on commitments that harmed the state?
• Why did they not raise their voices when public sector workers were left without salaries?
• Why did MP A. V. Bartsits, in violation of regulations, send a document to the Minister of Economy without consulting his colleagues, and yet none of them objected?

This list could go on indefinitely.

Moreover, we demand public explanations from presidential candidate Badra Gunba regarding his position on the Bzyb hydroelectric power station. We are also interested in how his closest relatives came to occupy key positions at Kurort Pitsunda and the Ritsa National Park.

We further demand a response from the General Prosecutor’s Office regarding the results of the investigation into the intimidation and assault of an activist from A[dgur]. A. Ardzinba’s campaign headquarters by the Head of the Gagra district, Y. L. Khagush.

The claim that A. Bzhania alone bears responsibility for what has happened does not stand up to scrutiny. Responsibility lies with all those who were part of his team.

Abkhazia will never again tolerate treacherous, anti-people governance.

We strongly condemn the disinformation campaigns shaping this election in favour of a single candidate. We demand an immediate end to dirty political tactics aimed at deepening divisions within society along regional, national, religious, and other lines.

Otherwise, full responsibility for any potential consequences will rest with the organisers of these manipulations.

We urge all citizens to remain calm, not to succumb to provocations, and to demonstrate wisdom, unity, and composure during this crucial period for the country.

Peace, stability, and prosperity to our multi-ethnic people!

Signed:
ROO Aruaa
ROO Aiaaira
ROO Abkhazian People's Movement
ROO Our Capital
ROO Modern State
EF Aamta
RPP Apsny
RPP FNEA
RPP AKZAARA

See also: 

+ Who is Behind the Advertising Strategy of Badra Gunba’s Campaign?

+ Is Defending Abkhazia’s Interests a Threat to Russia’s Security?

+ Abkhaz Elections Under Russian Pressure, by Izida Chania

+ Engaged Media: Agenda in Their Hands?

+ Mikaa and Kvarchia: Citizenship Revocation Politically Motivated

+ Electoral Manipulations and the Armenian Community in Abkhazia, by Diana Kerselyan