This article was originally published on the Echo of the Caucasus website. The text and
terminology of the article are presented without changes. All rights belong to Echo of the
Caucasus. Date of publication: September 11, 2024.

Abkhazian Telegram channels are reporting the return of former Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba
to Abkhazia. He is being considered for the position of head of the presidential administration.
His return is also associated with increased activity from pro-government media resources on
the Abkhaz segment of social networks.

The Telegram channel “Abkhazian Portal” reports on the return of the former Foreign Minister
Inal Ardzinba, who was dismissed by Aslan Bzhania earlier this year. The dismissal was brought
on by a note of protest from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which was leaked online after
parliamentary ratification of an agreement transferring the Pitsunda estate to Russia. Abkhazian
deputies had made some significant amendments to the agreement (including a clause on the
impossibility of transferring the property to third parties), but Ardzinba officially announced that
he had submitted his resignation “in connection with moving to a new position.”

According to “Abkhazian Portal,” the former minister’s attempt to find a job in Russia failed.
“Inal Ardzinba returned to Abkhazia after failing to land a job in Moscow. His project to conquer
the Belarusian arena, as well as his acting role on Russia’s Channel One, have ended in
complete failure.”

Indeed, the documentary program “Global Majority” with host Inal Ardzinba on Russia’s Channel
One was limited to just one episode, despite initial plans for continuing the project. This
summer, other plans, which also likely failed, were mentioned by Milana Khashba, who stepped
down from her position as acting head of the Foreign Ministry’s press service.

“I went to Moscow. We discussed with Inal Batuvich the implementation of new youth projects,
particularly in the field of IT technologies and cultural-educational programs. These projects will
be carried out with the support of Inal Batuvich and aim to develop relations between the
Republic of Abkhazia, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Belarus. Next week I am
heading to the city of Minsk for a meeting with the leaders of youth movements in the Republic
of Belarus,” Khashba wrote on her Telegram channel in June.

According to sources from the “Abkhazian Portal”, Ardzinba is now actively interacting with
Bzhania and negotiating for the position of head of the presidential administration, currently held
by Abesalom Kvarchia.

“The appointment of Inal Ardzinba will undoubtedly be an attempt by the authorities to distract
civil society from the ‘Kozak-Bzhania’ protocol and the president’s renegade behavior,” writes
the media outlet.

Analysts from the channel associate Ardzinba’s return with increased activity by anonymous
accounts on social networks, “who are slandering patriots of the country who once opposed the
ill-fated minister’s plans to sell off Abkhazian lands.”

This point is also highlighted by Nuzhnaya Gazeta.

“A popular sign: if an anonymous smear campaign has started, it means Inal Ardzinba is about
to be appointed to some position.”

According to the publication, Aslan Bzhania met with Inal Ardzinba on September 10 at Gudou
Plaza.

It can be assumed that the return of the former minister and the increased activity of pro-
government media resources are linked to the upcoming presidential elections next spring. His
return does not necessarily mean that he was unable to find a job in Moscow. On the contrary, it
is quite possible that he was sent to carry out certain tasks on behalf of the Kremlin. This is
specifically mentioned by the Telegram channel ABKHAZIA CENTER.

“Reports have surfaced about Inal Ardzinba’s return to Abkhazia. The real reasons for his
resignation remain behind the scenes, as do the motives for his return to his native Sukhumi. It
is likely that at the time, Moscow decided it was necessary to temporarily place him in reserve
until better times—far from the warming Russian-Georgian relations and the pre-election chaos
in Sukhumi.”