Aslan Bzhania, the President of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia, has stepped down. Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab has also vacated his position.

"In order to maintain stability and constitutional order in the country, in accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia, I resign from the post of President," reads the statement signed by Bzhania following prolonged negotiations between the government and opposition.

Per the agreement reached, Bzhania submitted his resignation letter on the condition that protesters gathered around government buildings disperse by November 19. The agreement states: "In the event of failure to fulfill this point, the President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Bzhania A.G., withdraws his resignation letter."

On November 19, Abkhazia's parliament, the People’s Assembly, will review Bzhania’s resignation. Vice President Badra Gunba will serve as acting president, while former parliamentary speaker Valery Bganba has been appointed prime minister. The current cabinet will remain in office until a newly elected president assumes power.

Bzhania had previously announced his intention to run in the next presidential election, originally scheduled for spring 2025. However, the timeline for the elections may now be moved up.

Opposition Protests Trigger Resignation

Bzhania's resignation comes in response to escalating opposition protests. On November 15, demonstrators in Sukhumi, angered by a proposed Russian-Abkhaz "investment agreement," breached the perimeter of the government complex. Protesters entered the parliament and presidential administration buildings, prompting the cancellation of a parliamentary session that was set to vote on ratifying the agreement. Following the unrest, the presidential administration pledged to withdraw the agreement.

This marks the third time an Abkhaz leader has resigned early due to opposition protests. In 2014, Alexander Ankvab stepped down amid tensions over the issuance of Abkhaz passports to ethnic Georgians in eastern regions. In 2020, Raul Khadzhimba resigned after the Abkhaz Supreme Court annulled the 2019 presidential election results.

Bzhania himself was unable to participate in the 2019 elections due to health issues, which he and his supporters attributed to poisoning. He later won the March 2020 presidential election with 56.50% of the vote, defeating Adgur Ardzinba, who garnered 35.42%.