The government of USSR, understanding that an irreversible process was taking place, under the influence of disruption forced and a desire to give it a civilised form, developed a new law, which legalised separation of republics from USSR[2]. Once again, legalised norms of the separation of republics from USSR spread not only on major Union republics but also onto autonomous ones inside them.  That was regulated by USSR law on the Order of Separation of republics from the USSR on April 3rd 1990.     In accordance with the law, each autonomous republic, although a part of major Union Republic, had its own right to remain in USSR and regulate its status.  But Georgia broke the law, taking a unilateral  decision ( also on behalf of its autonomous republics) and ignored the law of the 3rd of April 1990 on its way out of USSR. The Supreme Council of Abkhazia realised the illegality of Georgia’s actions and on 25th August 1990 issued a Declaration of State Sovereignty for Abkhazia and a statement about Law Guarantees of Protection of Abkhazia.    Another reason why Abkhazia can be considered as separate from the Georgia state is that the Treaty with Abkhazia of 16th December 1921 lost its rightful force due to Georgia denouncing all legal acts and treaties after 25th of April 1921.  Georgian government denounced all lawful acts issued on Georgia behalf, starting from 1921, but Abkhazia ASSR was made a part of Georgian SSR in 1931 as an autonomous republic, and therefore Abkhazia should have been excluded from its composition.     Connections between Soviet Georgia and Soviet Abkhazia appeared at a certain historical situation, and naturally they lost its force with the disappearance of the USSR.    

In the territory of the former Georgia SSR[3], where the Autonomous republic of Abkhazia was located, the two independent states were formed – Georgia, who declared its independence and the separation from USSR, and Abkhazia, who was still a subject to USSR. It follows, those statehood affairs between Abkhazia and Georgia regulated by Soviet Laws, ceased to exist with the dissolution of the USSR.   

 On the 6th of January 1992 due to armed coup, Gamsakhurdia was replaced by a Military Council which was led by Dzhaba Ioseliani and Tengiz Kitovani. Later, Shevornadze was chosen as the head of the Council.    

In February 1992 the Georgian government annulled the Constitution of Georgia 1978 & announced its acceptance of the Georgia Constitution 1921, according to which Abkhazia unilaterally was made an integral part of Georgia with the right to govern its internal affairs, against Abkhazia will. Abkhazia’s Supreme Council on the 23rd July decided to annul the 1978 constitution & moved towards 1925 Abkhaz Constitution, according to which Abkhazia was sovereign state, and was a subject to international law.  

In July 1992 UN accepted the Republic of Georgia and recognised its territory including Abkhazia (Despite Abkhaz protests against it).  This was done mainly to soften the collapse of the Soviet Union and to prevent conflicts between the former Soviet republics[4].     In the meantime, in Abkhazia, projects on the new constitution were underway. They were discussed publically using mass media.    The date was set for the Abkhaz Supreme Council on the 14th of August 1992 which would discuss the nature of the project concerning relations between republics of Georgia and Abkhazia.     The Georgian war against Abkhazia began with an entrance of Georgian troops into Abkhazia on the day Abkhaz parliament was to discuss the federal agreement with Georgia which would be proposed to Georgians later. Georgians used all of their might to fight Abkhazia, including aviation and armed tanks. For 13 months Abkhazia was a subject to total devastation, cultural monuments were destroyed and the economic infrastructure of the republic was destroyed[5].  

During Georgia’s occupation of the vast majority of Abkhazia territory, about half of population was forced to leave the country and evacuation programmes were underway from Israel and Greek governments. Abkhazia had no choice but to fight back.   The war between Georgia and Abkhazia continued from 14th August 1992 to 30th September 1993 and resulted in an Abkhaz victory.  As a result Many Georgian nationals left Abkhazia in fear of their safety. Attempts were made by UN to return these peoples back to Abkhazia, but due to mistrust on both sides such process is unsuccessful even to this day[6].   

 In order to stop the fighting between Abkhazia and Georgia, in Moscow there was a signed Agreement between Georgia and Abkhazia about total seizure of fire and the separation of military forces on 14th May 1994.  CIS peacekeeping troops (actually Russian troops) entered the demilitarised zone along the river Inguri, between Georgian and Abkhaz troops[7].   

 In 1994 Georgia joined the CIS and in the same year Russia economically blockaded Abkhazia.  In 1996 the economic blockade against Abkhazia was confirmed by the heads of CIS states, according to the Agreement on “Peace Keeping and Conflict Resolution in Abkhazia and Georgia”. This blockade had catastrophical consequences for Abkhazia. The economic blockade started to weaken only in 2000 with the election of Russia’s president Putin[8].    

On the 26th November 1994 Abkhaz parliament accepted a new constitution and declared Abkhaz Republic as a sovereign, democratic, lawful state. On the 3rd October 1999 in Abkhazia a referendum on independence took place. On that day, 219534 persons in Abkhazia had the right of voice i.e. only 58.5% of pre-war figures. 87.6% of population voted and registered at the voting listings, 97.7% of those who voted supported the new constitution & Abkhaz independence.    Representative of the general secretary of UN in Georgia in November 2002 developed a plan, which was submitted to all sides: “Fundamental principles of division of authority between Tbilisi and Sokhumi”. It became known as Boden’s Plan. This plan does not allow Abkhaz sovereignty to happen and includes Abkhazia into Georgia. Such plan was categorically rejected by Abkhazia[9].     

In autumn of 2004, for the first time Abkhazia had presidential elections with several candidates aiming for presidential post. After the 1st round on 3rd October Bagapsh and Hadzhimba had the most votes. Tensions mounted between supporters of the both sides. Supporters of Bagapsh increased tensions as they confronted the current president Vladislav Ardzinba. On 6th December 2004 Bagapsh and Hadzhimba agreed with demand of the president to have new elections where Bagapsh would be candidate for presidential post and Hadzhimba -- for vice-president. The new elections are to take place before 13th January 2005[10].