Badra Gunba, a pro-Russian politician, has been declared the winner of the presidential runoff elections in Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia.
Background on Abkhazia’s Status
- Abkhazia is internationally recognized as part of Georgia but has been under de facto Russian control since the 2008 war between Moscow and Tbilisi.
- Russia and a few other nations recognize Abkhazia as an independent state, while Georgia and most of the world consider it occupied territory.
Political Unrest and Elections
- Tensions have been high since November 2024, when protests led to the ousting of pro-Kremlin president Aslan Bzhania over a controversial Russian investment bill.
- Critics feared the bill would allow uncontrolled Russian-led development in the Black Sea region.
- Bzhania became the third Abkhazian leader to resign due to protests since 2014.
