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 2 April 2025
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 partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia. This means that while Abkhazia acts like an independent country, not all countries in the world agree that it is separate from Georgia. The president is both the head of state (the top representative) and the head of government (the person in charge of running the country).

This important job was created in 1994. Before that, the leader of Abkhazia was called the Chairman of Parliament from 1992 to 1994. Even earlier, the highest position was the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet. This position existed from August 25, 1990, when Abkhazia declared it was sovereign (self-governing) from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, until July 23, 1992, when it declared full independence.

President's Promise: The Oath of Office
- Changes to the Oath
- Restoring the Oath
Leaders of Abkhazia
- Early Leaders of Abkhazia
- Presidents of Abkhazia
Timeline of Abkhazian Leaders
Recent Elections
Related Topics

President's Promise: The Oath of Office

When a president takes office, they make a special promise called an oath. This promise shows their commitment to their country and people.

Changes to the Oath

During the time Alexander Ankvab was president, the Parliament (the group of lawmakers) decided to remove a specific phrase from the oath. This phrase, in the Abkhazian language, meant:

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

This phrase was taken out because some people thought it was like a curse. The first two presidents of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba and Sergei Bagapsh, both passed away while in office. Some believed this was linked to the "curse" in the oath.

Restoring the Oath

After a big event called the Abkhazian Revolution, the Parliament met again on July 16, 2014. They decided to put the phrase back into the oath. Some members, like Daur Arshba, argued that the original decision to remove it was not done correctly.

On August 18, the People's Assembly of Abkhazia added another important line to the oath. This new part was suggested by Said Kharazia. It is a prayer asking for strength:

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

Leaders of Abkhazia

Before Abkhazia had a president, it had other leaders. Here's a look at who held the top positions.

Early Leaders of Abkhazia

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Position	Time in Office			Political Party
No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Position	Started	Ended	Length of Time	Political Party
1		Valerian Kobakhia (1929–1992)	Chairman of the Supreme Soviet	August 25, 1990	December 24, 1990	121 days	Communist Party of Abkhazia
2		Vladislav Ardzinba (1944–2010)	Chairman of the Supreme Soviet	December 24, 1990	July 23, 1992	1 year, 212 days	Communist Party of Abkhazia
(2)		Vladislav Ardzinba (1944–2010)	Chairman of Parliament	July 23, 1992	November 26, 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	Length of Time	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	Badra Gunba (2020 – 2025)
–		Badra Gunba (born 1981) Acting	19 November 2024	2 April 2025	134 days	Independent	–	–
6		Badra Gunba (born 1981)	2 April 2025	Incumbent	125 days	Independent	2025	Beslan Bigvava (since 2025)