National flags have been lowered to half-mast on government buildings across Georgia to mark the 31st anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi on September 27, 1993. This event marked the loss of Tbilisi’s control over the region and led to the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Georgians, which has been recognized as ethnic cleansing by international organizations.
The anniversary comes at a time when the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is promoting a campaign of “peace” and accusing the opposition of planning to incite conflict with the support of civil society and foreign powers. In a traditional act of remembrance, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, along with members of the Cabinet and the public, paid tribute to fallen Georgian soldiers at the memorial in Tbilisi’s Heroes’ Square.
PM Kobakhidze stated that September 27 is one of the most tragic dates in Georgia’s recent history and paid tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country’s unification. He also made statements in line with the GD’s campaign agenda, accusing the opposition of trying to start a war and blaming the former government for the 2008 Russo-Georgian war. He promised that the GD would prevent the “Ukrainization” of Georgia.
The ruling party’s “peace” rhetoric has reminded many Georgians of Soviet propaganda posters, which have been widely shared on social media. These posters feature slogans that contrast the Soviets’ alleged pursuit of peace and peaceful coexistence with Western militarism and warmongering.
The analogy was further reinforced when citizens noticed GD’s pre-election banners throughout the capital, which drew comparisons between war-torn Ukraine and the “peace” offered by the ruling party. Kobakhidze responded to a journalist’s question about whether it would have been morally justifiable for Ukraine to use footage of the war in Abkhazia by saying that the GD is reminding society of the consequences of war and what should be avoided in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Kobakhidze did not comment on the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs‘ statement condemning the GD’s campaign banners, stating that what is happening in Ukraine is unacceptable. He added that the comparison between war and peace is crucial for society.
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