2024 Abkhazian protests

2024 Abkhazian protests
2024 Abkhazian protests
	Demonstrators protesting in front of the de facto parliament.
Date	11–12 November 2024 (first phase); 15–19 November 2024 (second phase);
Location	Republic of Abkhazia, mainly Sukhumi
Caused by	Opposition to the Abkhazia–Russia investment agreement; Opposition to President Aslan Bzhania; Detention of opposition activists (first phase);
Goals	Cancellation of the investment agreement; Resignation of Bzhania and his government; Release of opposition activists (first phase);
Methods	Protests; Demonstrations; Civil disobedience; Traffic obstruction;
Resulted in	Resignation of Aslan Bzhania; Badra Gunba becomes acting president of Abkhazia; Snap presidential election;
Parties
Coordination Council for Overcoming the Political Crisis: Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia; Abkhaz People's Movement; Sovereignty Protection Committee; Aruaa; Apsny; Our Capital;	Government: President; Parliament; Security Council; Internal Affairs Ministry; State Security Service; Supported by: Amtsakhara; Aitaira;
Lead figures
	Collective leadership; Adgur Ardzinba; Aslan Bartsits; Kan Kvarchia; Levan Mikaa; Eshsou Kakalia; Temur Gulia Aslan Bzhania; Badra Gunba; Alexander Ankvab; Lasha Ashuba; Raul Lolua; Dmitry Kuchuberia; Robert Kiut; Otar Khetsia; David Pilia; Leonid Lakerbaia
Number
15 November: ~5,000; 16 November: 10,000
Casualties
Injuries	15 November: ≥9

Protests in the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia began on 11 November 2024 after the arrest of five opposition activists who opposed an investment agreement with Russia. Protesters blocked roads in Sukhumi and attempted to storm the State Security Service building, demanding the release of detainees. On 12 November the activists were released. However, the protests continued with even greater force on 15 November, when protesters broke into the buildings of Parliament, Government and the Presidential Administration, making another demand for the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania and his government, which exiled to the village of Tamishi before eventually announcing its resignation after four days of negotiations, with Vice President Badra Gunba becoming acting president.

Opposition representatives claimed that the protest was not aimed at worsening the relations between Russia and Abkhazia, but stated that Bzhania "has been trying to use these relations for his own selfish interests, manipulating them for the sake of strengthening his regime".