The Nagorno-Karabakh affair: Cancellation of the dissolution of secessionist entities
In an unexpected turn of events, the leader of the Armenian separatists of Nagorno-Karabakh recently announced the cancellation of the dissolution of the secessionist entities, initially scheduled for January 1, 2024. This surprising decision came less than ten days before the dissolution planned, which marked the end of the self-proclaimed separatist republic.
Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory between Azerbaijan and Armenian separatists, has been at the heart of a bloody and prolonged conflict for more than three decades. After being expelled from this region last September by Azerbaijan, the Armenian separatists announced the dissolution of their secessionist entities and the cessation of the existence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh from January 2024.
However, during a meeting in Yerevan, Samvel Chakhramanian, the leader of the Armenian separatists, said that there was no legal document providing for the dissolution of government institutions of the Republic of Artsakh, as the Armenian separatists call it. in Nagorno-Karabakh. This turnaround calls into question the legitimacy of the announced dissolution and raises questions about the reality of the power of the separatists in the region.
Indeed, since Azerbaijan’s military victory last September, Armenian separatists have lost all power in the territory. The region has been emptied of almost all of its inhabitants and the authorities in Baku have arrested several separatist representatives. Consequently, the decision to dissolve the secessionist entities announced by Samvel Chakhramanian seems to be a symbolic act with no real impact on the current situation.
This political about-face also raises questions about the future of Nagorno-Karabakh. As Azerbaijan regained control of the region, President Ilham Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi, the main city of Nagorno-Karabakh. The consequences of this military victory are already being felt, with the calling of an early presidential election in February 2024 by President Aliev, which could prolong his reign.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the dissolution of the secessionist entities of Nagorno-Karabakh by the leader of the Armenian separatists calls into question the legitimacy of this decision and underlines the reality of the power lost by the separatists. As Azerbaijan consolidates its control over the region, the future of Nagorno-Karabakh remains uncertain.