Adgur Ardzinba, the leader of the Abkhazia People's Movement, has responded to a statement by the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, regarding Russia's annexation processes in occupied Abkhazia. Ardzinba stated that the actions of the Abkhazian opposition are not directed against Russia and added that "it is unclear who or what Mrs. Zurabishvili is expressing solidarity with."
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According to Ardzinba, the President of Georgia "as usual, is guided in her judgments and assessments by national mythology rather than reality and common sense."
"The Republic of Abkhazia is a free country that independently determines its destiny, developmental direction, and national interests. The people of Abkhazia are absolutely united on the most important matters - the main provisions of our constitution, which state that the Republic of Abkhazia is a sovereign state, historically established through the right of free self-determination of its people.
In this context, it is unclear who or what Ms. Zourabichvili is expressing solidarity with. It is evident that we hold fundamentally different views, not only on the present and future of our homeland but also on life, politics, and likely morality in general.
Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that our actions are not anti-Russian in nature. Any statements suggesting otherwise, regardless of their source, are entirely false and provocative. Our commitment to an alliance and strategic partnership with Russia remains steadfast, as do the fraternal relations and mutual assistance between our peoples.
The Abkhazian opposition is engaged in an internal political struggle solely based on the interests of the multinational people of Abkhazia. We do not know whose interests Salome Zourabichvili is representing, and, frankly, we are not particularly concerned. We have significant work ahead of us to restore order in our land, and for that, we do not require the solidarity of any political figure from the other side of the Inguri River," said one of the leaders of the so-called Abkhazian opposition.
On November 15, Salome Zourabichvili commented on the developments in Sukhumi, condemning Russia's "hasty steps towards the annexation of Abkhazia" and its request for the Georgian authorities to agree on the so-called border delimitation with the occupied territories.
"What is happening in occupied Abkhazia includes an attempt to enforce the Russian law, which civil society is opposing, and I want to express solidarity with them," President Zourabichvili said.
Protests in occupied Abkhazia began on Friday. Opposition parties and part of the society are protesting against the so-called investment agreement signed with Russia, which the de facto parliament planned to ratify on November 15. Participants of the ongoing rally in Sukhumi are demanding the resignation of the so-called President Aslan Bzhania and the scheduling of early "presidential elections."
