Facts and stats about Abkhazia

Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in 1999 but the latter stills consider it as a breakaway region. Located in the north-western area of Georgia and Russia at the north-east, Abkhazia used to be a major vacation destination for wealthy Soviet families. Abkhazia's struggle for sovereignty from Georgia since the disintegration of the USSR devastated the entire country especially its economy and political system.

Only Russia has recognizes Abkhazia and another breakaway republic from Georgia which is South Ossetia. It was Georgia which also invaded South Ossetia and Abkhazia in violation of the United Nations Charter as well as other global commitments. The conflicts brought about loss of innocent lives and destruction to both states. In fact, Russian troops under the peace-keeping forces were among the first to be attacked by military units from Georgia and suffered casualties. Russia gave funding worth nearly $500 million for the strengthening of Russian border, air and naval defence systems in Abkhazia.

Venezuela and Nicaragua also recognised Abkhazia following the 2008 War in South Ossetia. Nauru also recognises the independence of this republic after it received $50 million humanitarian assistance from Russia in 2009. Abkhazia is a member of the Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization. The United Nations composed of representatives from The US, UK, Russia, Germany and France presented a proposal regarding the potential dispersal of competencies between officials of Georgia and Abkhazia. However, the Abkhazia side rejected this overture and in the end, Russia pulled out its approval of the offer. The status of Abkhazia as an independent state is still ambiguous. Moreover, the truce with Georgia remains fragile as the scars of the conflict has not gone away.