Presidential vote begins in Abkhazia

26/08/11 11:13 CET

world news

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The people of Abkhazia are voting for a new president today, exactly three years since Russia recognised it as an independent state.

The sub-tropical slice of the Black Sea coast used to be in Georgia, but broke away in the early 1990s in the chaos of the fall of the Soviet Union.

There are three candidates for Abkhazia’s 200,000 people to choose from.

“The most important thing is that there shouldn’t be war, so that our children can grow up properly,” said one woman.

“We need law and order and humanity – an intelligent humanity,” said another voter.

Russia backs Abkhazia militarily against Georgia, and is busy building a new naval port and air base there. Along with Russia only Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the tiny pacific island of Nauru recognise Abkhazia.

More about: Georgia, Independence, Presidential elections, Russia

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