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The article was originally published on the “Echo of the Caucasus” website. The text and terminology of the article are presented without changes. All rights are reserved by “Echo of the Caucasus.” Publication date April 2, 2025
Badra Gunba has officially assumed the office of president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia. The inauguration of the new leader was, for some, a symbol of change, while for others, it marked a continuation of the previous course. The policies that Gunba will actually pursue will become clear over the next five years.
Badra Gunba’s morning began with a walk along the Sukhum waterfront accompanied by members of the Russian delegation. Among the guests was Sergey Kirienko, the first deputy head of the administration of the President of the Russian Federation. This scene recalled recent events: just a few days before the elections, while still a presidential candidate, Gunba held meetings with the same Russian official.
The Russian guests and the Abkhaz leader stopped for coffee at the famous outdoor Sukhum café “Brekhalovka”. There Gunba received a symbolic gift from the Chairman of the Government of Bashkortostan, Andrey Nazarov — a painting featuring a view of the Ufa waterfront, where a precise replica of the Sukhum colonnade is located.
But behind the informal gestures were strategic matters — discussions of cooperation and upcoming reforms. The day prior, Gunba and Kirienko visited the 7th Russian military base in Abkhazia, where they toured a school and sports complex under construction. Just before the inauguration, Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the process for citizens of Abkhazia who hold Russian passports or residence permits to obtain Russian driver’s licenses, an issue that Gunba raised during his meeting with Putin at the Kremlin shortly after his election victory.
While the elected president and his guests walked around the city, a red carpet was being laid out in front of the Abkhazian parliament building.
The formal inauguration ceremony of Gunba’s presidency began at 12:00 in the Grand Hall. The hall was full, and among the attendees were all political opponents and presidential candidates, including Gunba’s main rival, opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba. He lost to Gunba by a 14% margin, and his supporters accused the newly elected president of using “dirty” political methods during the campaign. In the front row sat former president Aslan Bzhania, who was forced to resign after the November protests.
After the Abkhazian flag was brought into the hall, the speaker of the parliament, Lasha Ashuba, opened the ceremony by introducing the honored guests. Among them were Sergey Kirienko, first deputy head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation; Alan Gagloev, president of the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia; regional leaders from Russia; ambassadors from Russia, South Ossetia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua; representatives from Transnistria; judges of the Constitutional Court; the leadership of the Supreme Court; government officials; heads of local administrations; and representatives of religious organizations.
Ashuba invited Badra Gunba up to take the oath of office. He entered the hall to applause and, following tradition, took the oath in the Abkhaz language. Gunba promised to work for the benefit of the people and maintain peace in the republic. Afterward, the speaker handed over the symbols of power to the new president — the standard, seal, and saber, symbolizing his role as supreme commander-in-chief, and the Abkhaz staff (alabasha).
Gunba spoke for about 15 minutes. He began his speech in the Abkhaz language and then switched to Russian. At the start of his address, he declared that 2025 would be the year of the first president of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba. He emphasized that “after the victory in the Patriotic War,” the most significant event in modern Abkhazian history was the recognition of its independence by Russia, and later, with its support, by a number of other states.
“This historic event is inextricably linked to the name of the second president of Abkhazia, Sergey Vasilyevich Bagapsh,” Gunba declared.
Gunba also touched on the 1992–1993 war, emphasizing that it was during this period that Abkhazia received the historic opportunity to develop its statehood. According to him, for the country to progress, the people must overcome internal disagreements and unite to achieve great goals. He also seemingly hinted at the events in November that led to the early elections.
“Calls for violence in the name of the so-called ‘good’ always end in failure and societal disillusionment. Democracy is not permissiveness; it is respect for the norms and institutions of the state.”
Gunba further outlined the main priorities of his policies: ensuring constitutional rights, reforming public administration, and developing social programs. He also placed particular emphasis on the importance of partnership with Russia, which, according to him, is currently “fighting for the preservation of its sovereignty and the establishment of a just world order.”
Gunba personally thanked Vladimir Putin for his help and support, as well as for recognizing Abkhazia’s independence. The mention of Putin filled the hall with applause.
After Gunba, Sergey Kirienko took the stage. First, he read out a congratulatory message from Putin, in which the Russian leader invited the head of Abkhazia to visit Moscow on May 9.
“The brotherly peoples of Russia and Abkhazia are connected by a common history. The Day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War holds special, enduring significance for us. On this important date, Russians and Abkhazians pay tribute to the heroic generation of victors. I invite you to take part in the solemn events marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in Moscow on May 9, 2025. I will be sincerely glad to see you in the Russian capital on this significant day,” the telegram read.
Kirienko emphasized the “historical bond” between Abkhazia and Russia, noting that in 1992–1993 Abkhazia was the first to confront “real neo-Nazism.”
“We are united by the heroic sons of the Abkhaz and Russian peoples, who cannot and should not be divided. Volunteers and soldiers who gave their lives for Abkhazia’s independence in 1992–1993 fought against real neo-Nazism. Even then, in the post-Soviet space, Abkhazia was the first to face representatives of Nazi units, with whom Russia is now fighting in the Special Military Operation zone. Russian volunteers who fell in that war are undoubtedly heroes of Russia, and we are proud of them. But I am sure they are also the sons of Abkhazia, just like the 53 heroes who gave their lives during the Special Military Operation.”
After Kirienko, the leader of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, read his speech. He highlighted the difficult path that Abkhazia and South Ossetia have gone through in their pursuit of recognition of sovereignty, and noted Russia’s support as a guarantor of security for both republics. Like the previous speakers, Gagloev spent a few minutes addressing the war in Ukraine.
“Since 2014, volunteers from South Ossetia and Abkhazia have once again stood side by side, fighting neo-Nazism in Ukraine… And in 2022, we supported the start of the Special Military Operation to save the people of Donbas from genocide by the Kyiv regime.”
Concluding his speech, Gagloev emphasized that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have a “common homeland,” and that homeland — is Russia.
Gunba has officially assumed the office of president, tasked with leading the republic for the next five years. However, as history shows, not every president is able to complete their term.
Russia is already beginning to expand its influence: starting May 1, regular flights will be launched at Sukhum Airport, and a division of the State Traffic Inspectorate (GAI) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia will begin operating in Abkhazia. Following Gunba’s inauguration, a meeting took place with Kirienko, during which the prospects for partnership in key areas such as energy and infrastructure were discussed. One of the main points was a promise to improve the standard of living for the people of Abkhazia by simplifying administrative procedures.
Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, who was present at the inauguration as part of the official delegation, stated that Russia and Abkhazia are turning “a new page” in their “historically good and positive” relations. According to him, the projects Russia intends to undertake will bring real benefits to Abkhazia.
These “gifts” in the form of infrastructure projects and social aid are seen by some as a symbol of strengthening Russian-Abkhazian ties, while for others, they represent yet another step toward full dependence.
Pro-government Telegram channels refer to Gunba’s inauguration as a “new starting point” and emphasize the republic’s determination to strengthen its ties with Moscow. Yet behind the festive rhetoric, there are challenges ahead — political instability, economic difficulties, and internal contradictions.
As critics of the new-old government point out, the next five years will reveal whether this inauguration is truly the beginning of change or just another symbolic act in Abkhazia’s history.
