New Abkhaz president takes office

Badra Gunba has officially assumed the office of President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The inauguration ceremony took place on April 2 in the cabinet hall of ministers, according to a statement.

Gunba took the presidential oath in the presence of members of parliament and judges of the Constitutional Court. Following this, the speaker of the Republic’s Parliament, Lasha Ashuba, handed over the symbols of power to Gunba, including the presidential flag, the official seal bearing the Abkhaz coat of arms and the inscription “President of the Republic of Abkhazia,” the sword symbolizing the status of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Abkhaz national staff, known as “alabashya,” which signifies state wisdom.