Raul Khajimba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raul Khajimba
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| Рауль Ҳаџьымба | |
Official portrait, 2015
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| 4th President of Abkhazia | |
| In office 25 September 2014 – 12 January 2020 |
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| Prime Minister | Beslan Butba Artur Mikvabia Beslan Bartsits Shamil Adzynba (Acting) Gennadi Gagulia Daur Arshba (Acting) Valeri Bganba |
| Vice President | Vitali Gabnia Aslan Bartsits |
| Preceded by | Alexander Ankvab |
| Succeeded by | Valeri Bganba (Acting) |
| Member of Parliament for Constituency no. 30 (Tkvarcheli) |
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| In office 3 April 2012 – 7 October 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Daur Arshba |
| Succeeded by | Taifun Ardzinba |
| Chairman of the Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia | |
| In office 12 May 2010 – 31 March 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Daur Arshba Astamur Tania |
| Succeeded by | Daur Arshba |
| Vice President of Abkhazia | |
| In office 12 February 2005 – 28 May 2009 |
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| President | Sergei Bagapsh |
| Preceded by | Valery Arshba |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Ankvab |
| 5th Prime Minister of Abkhazia | |
| In office 22 April 2003 – 6 October 2004 |
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| President | Vladislav Ardzinba |
| Preceded by | Gennady Gagulia |
| Succeeded by | Nodar Khashba |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 19 December 2002 – 22 April 2003 |
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| Prime Minister | Gennady Gagulia |
| Preceded by | Vladimir Mikanba |
| Succeeded by | Viacheslav Eshba |
| First Vice Premier of Abkhazia | |
| In office 18 June 2001 – 22 April 2003 |
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| Prime Minister | Anri Jergenia Gennady Gagulia |
| Preceded by | Beslan Kubrava |
| Succeeded by | Astamur Tarba |
| Head of the State Security Service | |
| In office December 1999 – 1 November 2001 |
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| President | Vladislav Ardzinba |
| Preceded by | Astamur Tarba |
| Succeeded by | Zurab Agumava |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 March 1959 Tkvarcheli, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Abkhaz |
| Political party | Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia |
| Spouse | Saida Kuchuberiya |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Abkhazian State University |
Raul Jumkovich Khajimba (Abkhaz: Рауль Џьумка-иԥа Ҳаџьымба, Georgian: რაულ ჯუმკას-ძე ჰაჯიმბა; born 21 March 1959) is an Abkhazian politician. He served as the 4th President of Abkhazia from 2014 to 2020. Before becoming president, he held several important roles. These included Vice President (2005–2009), Prime Minister (2003–2004), and Defence Minister (2002–2003). He also led the Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia political party from 2010 to 2015. Khajimba ran for president three times before winning in 2014. He resigned from the presidency in 2020 after public protests.
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Early Life and Career
Raul Khajimba was born on March 21, 1959, in Tkvarcheli. He went to school there and worked as a mechanic at a power station. From 1976 to 1978, he served in the Soviet Air Defence Forces. He then studied law at the Abkhazian State University, graduating in 1984.
After university, Khajimba studied at the KGB school in Minsk from 1985 to 1986. He then worked as a KGB agent in Tkvarcheli until 1992.
War Service and Customs Work
During the 1992–1993 war with Georgia, Khajimba led military intelligence operations on the eastern front. For his efforts, he received the Order of Leon.
After the war, he worked for the State Customs Committee. From 1996 to 1998, he was in charge of the anti-smuggling division. In 1998, he became the deputy chairman of the committee.
Government Roles (1999–2004)
Security, Vice Premier, and Defence Minister
In December 1999, President Ardzinba appointed Khajimba as the head of the State Security Service. In June 2001, he also became the First Vice Premier. He left the Security Service role in November 2001. In May 2002, Khajimba was made Defence Minister, while still serving as First Vice Premier.
Serving as Prime Minister
In April 2003, Raul Khajimba was appointed the new Prime Minister of Abkhazia. He held this position until October 2004. During this time, President Vladislav Ardzinba was unwell. This meant Khajimba often acted as the country's leader in his place. He met with many political figures, including Russia's foreign minister, Igor Ivanov. Khajimba was strongly against Abkhazia rejoining Georgia. He spoke out against Georgia's proposal for a two-state federation in 2004.
Presidential Elections (2004 and 2005)
The 2004 Election
Raul Khajimba was expected to win the 2004 Abkhazian presidential election. He had strong support from the outgoing president, Ardzinba, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders campaigned for him. However, the opposition candidate, Sergei Bagapsh, received more votes. Many believed this was because people reacted against the strong Russian involvement in Khajimba's campaign.
After the election, both Khajimba and Bagapsh claimed victory. Khajimba said there was election fraud in the Gali region, which supported Bagapsh. President Ardzinba then removed Khajimba as Prime Minister. A period of disagreements followed, with protests and court cases.
The 2005 Agreement
In December 2004, Khajimba and Bagapsh reached an agreement. They decided to run together in new elections. Khajimba would be Bagapsh's vice-president. As part of this deal, the vice-president's job was given more power, especially in defence and foreign affairs. Their joint team easily won the 2005 Abkhazian presidential election in January 2005, getting over 90% of the votes.
Vice President (2005–2009)
Even with the new powers, many thought Khajimba's authority as Vice President would be limited. President Bagapsh and his Prime Minister, Alexander Ankvab, were expected to keep most of the control.
In June 2008, Khajimba attended a meeting of the Aruaa veteran organization. This group criticized the Bagapsh government's foreign policy. They wanted stronger ties with Russia. Khajimba agreed with this view. He said Russia was Abkhazia's only protector. He also believed force would be needed to control the upper Kodori Valley. This was the only part of Abkhazia still under Georgian control at the time. In August 2008, the Abkhazian military took control of the Kodori Valley during the 2008 South Ossetia war.
In May 2009, Khajimba and other opposition parties criticized the government. On May 28, Khajimba resigned as Vice President. He said he agreed with the criticism. He also stated that he lacked the power and support from President Bagapsh to fight corruption and improve security. He accused Bagapsh of breaking their 2004 power-sharing agreement.
Opposition Leader (2009–2014)
2009 Presidential Election
After resigning, Khajimba ran for president again in the 2009 Abkhazian presidential election. He was officially nominated in October and received support from several political groups. He chose Vasilii Avidzba as his vice-presidential candidate.
However, the current President, Sergei Bagapsh, won the election in the first round. Khajimba came in second place with about 15% of the votes.
Leading the FNUA
On May 12, 2010, Raul Khajimba was elected Chairman of the Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia (FNUA). This made him the main leader of the party.
2011 Presidential Election
Khajimba ran for president for a third time in the 2011 Abkhazian presidential election. This election happened after President Sergei Bagapsh passed away. Khajimba's running mate was Svetlana Jergenia, the widow of the first President, Vladislav Ardzinba. They were supported by the FNUA and other groups.
They finished in third place, losing to Acting President Alexander Ankvab.
May 2014 Revolution
In May 2014, Khajimba led protests against President Alexander Ankvab. These protests led to Ankvab resigning as president on June 1, 2014. Khajimba then won the special presidential election that followed, with just over 50% of the votes in the first round.
President (2014–2020)
Raul Khajimba became president on September 25, 2014. Two months later, he signed an important agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This treaty aimed to strengthen ties between Abkhazia and Russia. It included putting the Abkhazian military under Russia's direct control. It also committed Abkhazia to match its trade laws with the Eurasian Economic Union.
Many Western countries and Georgia criticized this treaty. However, Khajimba said that closer ties with Russia would help keep Abkhazia safe. He also believed it would create many chances for the country's social and economic growth.
Awards and Re-election
As President of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba received several awards. These included the Order of Leon (in 2005, as Vice President), and various Orders of Merit and Friendship from Transnistria and South Ossetia. He also received the Umayyad Order from Syria in 2018.
Raul Khajimba was re-elected in September 2019. He won the second round with 48.68% of the votes.
Resignation in 2020
In January 2020, protests started against Khajimba's presidency. On January 10, the Supreme Court of Abkhazia canceled his victory in the 2019 election. They called for new elections to be held in March. On January 12, Raul Khajimba resigned from the presidency.
See also
In Spanish: Raul Jadyimba para niños
