Abkhaz ‘Government Head’ Appointed

On October 14, Raul Khajimba, the Moscow-backed leader of Abkhazia, appointed Valery Bganba as the head of the region’s “cabinet of ministers.” 

According to the “presidential” decree, “prime minister of Abkhazia” should submit proposals on the structure and composition of the “cabinet of ministers” now. 

Bganba’s appointment follows the recent “presidential polls” in occupied Abkhazia where Raul Khajimba was re-elected for a second five-year term. 

Valery Bganba’s Bio

Valery Bganba (b. 1948, Gagra) served as the region’s “prime minister” from September 18, 2018 following the death of Gennady Gagulia.

Between 2007 and 2017 Bganba was a member of the region’s legislature, while from 2012 to 2017 he served as the legislative speaker. In 2002-2006, Bganba was the head of Abkhazia’s westernmost Gagra district.

Following the mass public unrest in Sokhumi, the region’s capital, in June 2014, leading the previous Abkhaz leader, Alexander Ankvab to resign, Valery Bganba took over the region’s authorities as acting president.

Elections in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions are denounced as illegitimate by Tbilisi and the international community, except of Russia and four other countries (Nauru, Venezuela, Syria and Nicaragua), which have recognized the two regions’ independence from Georgia.

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Incumbent Abkhaz Leader Wins ‘Presidential Runoff’

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