Amtsakhara
Encyclopedia
Amtsakhara is an important political movement and party in Abkhazia
, a de facto
independent republic in Caucasus
whose independence is recognized by Russia
and Nicaragua
, Venezuela
, Nauru
but whom most of the international community considers as a part of Georgia
.
Amtsakhara originally formed as an association of veterans of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, but have since broadened their membership to include the wider community. Before the foundation of Amtsakhara, the only notable opposition group had been the Aytayra party. In recent times, Amtsakhara have taken over the leadership of the opposition movement. They have been able to give some force to the opposition, as veterans form a powerful force in Abkhazia, and until recently, President Vladislav Ardzinba
had been considered virtually untouchable.
Amtsakhara has lobbied for reform of the government in Abkhazia, such as a greater balance of powers between the branches of authority and an increase in the powers of Abkhaz lawmakers. They have also been successful in changing the procedure for amending the Constitution.
Amtsakhara was largely responsible for bringing down the government of Gennady Gagulia
, the predecessor of the current Prime Minister, Raul Khajimba. This had been the first time that a government had been forced to resign by public pressure, rather than being sacked by the President, Vladislav Ardzinba
. Amtsakhara had lashed out at Gagulia for being inefficient and weak on crime , and public anger had boiled over at the association's congress. They had also threatened to organize a national rally if Gagulia did not step down.
As perhaps the only opposition group with the capability to challenge the Abkhazian government, they have been threatened at various times. On April 19, 2003, their office was bombed, although there were no casualties. Two of their activists also died in a car bombing, which they accused the authorities of being complicit in. In June 2004, Garri Aiba
, one of Amtsakhara's leaders was shot dead while driving through the city. As a result, foreign minister and fellow Amtsakhara leader Sergey Shamba
resigned in protest.
During 2003 and early 2004, Amtsakhara lobbied for President Ardzinba to step down. In late 2003, they had asked parliament to come up with a means for impeaching him by mid-December, but this has not yet occurred. It is likely that they may pose a challenge to the ruling party at the November 2004 elections, when Ardzinba will be forced by the Constitution to step down.
Their chances of winning the 2004 elections initially suffered another blow in April, 2004, when several other opposition groups combined to form the United Abkhazia
alliance. However, in June 2004, Amtsakhara and United Abkhazia merged to form a combined front at the elections, after the Aiba assassination. On July 20, 2004, they named former prime minister Sergei Bagapsh
as their presidential candidate, ending rumors that they may put up multiple candidates due to their prior lack of a clear leader.
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
, a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
independent republic in Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
whose independence is recognized by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
but whom most of the international community considers as a part of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
Amtsakhara originally formed as an association of veterans of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, but have since broadened their membership to include the wider community. Before the foundation of Amtsakhara, the only notable opposition group had been the Aytayra party. In recent times, Amtsakhara have taken over the leadership of the opposition movement. They have been able to give some force to the opposition, as veterans form a powerful force in Abkhazia, and until recently, President Vladislav Ardzinba
Vladislav Ardzinba
Vladislav Grigori-ipa Ardzinba was the first President of Abkhazia. A historian by education, Ardzinba led Abkhazia to de facto independence in the 1992-1993 War with Georgia, but its de jure independence from Georgia remained internationally unrecognised during Ardzinba's two terms as President...
had been considered virtually untouchable.
Amtsakhara has lobbied for reform of the government in Abkhazia, such as a greater balance of powers between the branches of authority and an increase in the powers of Abkhaz lawmakers. They have also been successful in changing the procedure for amending the Constitution.
Amtsakhara was largely responsible for bringing down the government of Gennady Gagulia
Gennady Gagulia
Gennady Gagulia is a two-time former Prime Minister of Abkhazia and the current head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.-Early career:...
, the predecessor of the current Prime Minister, Raul Khajimba. This had been the first time that a government had been forced to resign by public pressure, rather than being sacked by the President, Vladislav Ardzinba
Vladislav Ardzinba
Vladislav Grigori-ipa Ardzinba was the first President of Abkhazia. A historian by education, Ardzinba led Abkhazia to de facto independence in the 1992-1993 War with Georgia, but its de jure independence from Georgia remained internationally unrecognised during Ardzinba's two terms as President...
. Amtsakhara had lashed out at Gagulia for being inefficient and weak on crime , and public anger had boiled over at the association's congress. They had also threatened to organize a national rally if Gagulia did not step down.
As perhaps the only opposition group with the capability to challenge the Abkhazian government, they have been threatened at various times. On April 19, 2003, their office was bombed, although there were no casualties. Two of their activists also died in a car bombing, which they accused the authorities of being complicit in. In June 2004, Garri Aiba
Garri Aiba
Garri Aiba was an opposition leader in Republic of Abkhazia at the time of his murder. He died when his car came under fire on June 9, 2004.-History:...
, one of Amtsakhara's leaders was shot dead while driving through the city. As a result, foreign minister and fellow Amtsakhara leader Sergey Shamba
Sergey Shamba
Sergei Miron-ipa Shamba is a former Prime Minister of Abkhazia, in office from 13 February 2010 until 27 September 2011. Before becoming Prime Minister, Shamba had been the long-time Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia - from 7 May 1997, with a half-year interruption in 2004, both under...
resigned in protest.
During 2003 and early 2004, Amtsakhara lobbied for President Ardzinba to step down. In late 2003, they had asked parliament to come up with a means for impeaching him by mid-December, but this has not yet occurred. It is likely that they may pose a challenge to the ruling party at the November 2004 elections, when Ardzinba will be forced by the Constitution to step down.
Their chances of winning the 2004 elections initially suffered another blow in April, 2004, when several other opposition groups combined to form the United Abkhazia
United Abkhazia
United Abkhazia is a political party in Abkhazia. United Abkhazia was founded on March 25, 2004 as a socio-political movement, with the specific goal of presenting a single opposition candidate for the October 2004 presidential elections....
alliance. However, in June 2004, Amtsakhara and United Abkhazia merged to form a combined front at the elections, after the Aiba assassination. On July 20, 2004, they named former prime minister Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh was the second President of the Republic of Abkhazia. He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and was later elected as President in 2005. He was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election...
as their presidential candidate, ending rumors that they may put up multiple candidates due to their prior lack of a clear leader.