President of Abkhazia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Abkhazia
Standard of the president of Abkhazia
Incumbent Badra Gunba since 19 November 2024
Residence	Sukhumi
Term length	5 years Renewable once
Formation	26 November 1994
First holder	Vladislav Ardzinba
Deputy	Vice President of Abkhazia
Website	http://presidentofabkhazia.org/

The President of Abkhazia is the main leader of the Republic of Abkhazia. This country is seen as independent by some nations, but Georgia still considers it part of its own territory. The President is like the head of the country.

This important job was created in 1994. Before that, the top leader was called the Chairman of Parliament from 1992 to 1994. Even earlier, from 1990 to 1992, the highest position was the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet. This was when Abkhazia declared itself independent from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

President's Promise: The Oath of Office
Leaders of Abkhazia
- Early Leaders (Before Presidency)
- Presidents of Abkhazia
Timeline of Abkhazian Leaders
Latest Election
See Also

President's Promise: The Oath of Office

When a new president takes office, they make a special promise called an oath. This promise shows they will do their best for the country.

During the time of President Alexander Ankvab, a part of this promise was removed. It was a strong phrase that meant:

Жәлар рылахь соуааит иҧшьоу абри ахақәкы сацәхьаҵны саныҟала
— If I go away from this path, then let my people punish me

Later, in 2014, after some big changes in Abkhazia, the Parliament decided to put this phrase back into the oath. Some people believed the phrase was removed because the first two presidents, Vladislav Ardzinba and Sergei Bagapsh, died too soon. They thought it might have been seen as a bad omen.

However, another member of Parliament, Daur Arshba, said that removing the phrase was not done correctly. In August of the same year, another important line was added to the oath. It asks for help from a higher power:

Иа Анцәа Ду, суҳәоит Сыԥсадгьыли сыуаажәлари рымаҵ аураҿы амчи алшареи суҭарц!
— Almighty God, give me strength to serve country and people!

This shows how serious and important the president's promise is to the people of Abkhazia.

Leaders of Abkhazia

Before the President's job was created, Abkhazia had other leaders. Here's a look at some of them and the presidents who have served.

Early Leaders (Before Presidency)

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Position	Time in Office			Political Party
No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Position	Started	Ended	How long they served	Political Party
1		Valerian Kobakhia (1929–1992)	Chairman of the Supreme Soviet	25 August 1990	24 December 1990	121 days	Communist Party of Abkhazia
2		Vladislav Ardzinba (1944–2010)	Chairman of the Supreme Soviet	24 December 1990	23 July 1992	1 year, 212 days	Communist Party of Abkhazia
(2)		Vladislav Ardzinba (1944–2010)	Chairman of Parliament	23 July 1992	26 November 1994	2 years, 126 days	Independent

Presidents of Abkhazia

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Political Party	Election	Vice President(s)
No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Started	Ended	How long they served	Political Party	Election	Vice President(s)
1		Vladislav Ardzinba (1944–2010)	26 November 1994	12 February 2005	10 years, 78 days	Independent	1994 1999	Valery Arshba (1995 – 2005)
2		Sergei Bagapsh (1949–2011)	12 February 2005	29 May 2011 †	6 years, 106 days	United Abkhazia	2005 2009	Raul Khajimba (2005 – 2009) Alexander Ankvab (2009 – 2011)
–		Alexander Ankvab (born 1952) Acting	29 May 2011	26 September 2011	120 days	Aitaira	–	–
3		Alexander Ankvab (born 1952)	26 September 2011	1 June 2014 (Resigned)	2 years, 248 days	Aitaira	2011	Mikhail Logua (2011 – 2013)
–		Valeri Bganba (born 1954) Acting	1 June 2014	25 September 2014	116 days	Independent	–	–
4		Raul Khajimba (born 1959)	25 September 2014	12 January 2020 (Resigned)	5 years, 109 days	FNUA	2014 2019	Vitali Gabnia (2014 – 2019) Aslan Bartsits (2019 – 2020)
–		Valeri Bganba (born 1954) Acting	13 January 2020	23 April 2020	101 days	Independent	–	–
5		Aslan Bzhania (born 1964)	23 April 2020	19 November 2024 (Resigned)	4 years, 210 days	Independent	2020	Badr Gunba (since 2020)
–		Badra Gunba (born 1982) Acting	19 November 2024	Incumbent	216 days	Independent	–	–