The leader of the separatist region of South Ossetia is suspending a previously announced referendum on joining Russia.

Alan Kagloev, leader of the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia, on Monday halted a previously announced referendum on Russia’s integration under Georgian sovereignty. He argued that “consultations” with Moscow should be concluded first Reuters.

“Until the end of the consultations, the order of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on May 13, 2022 regarding the holding of a referendum in the Republic of South Ossetia will be suspended,” states a new self-issued decree. “President” Alan Kaglov was appointed.

On May 13, Anatoly Biplov, the so-called former president of the separatist region and still in office, announced that a referendum on joining Russia would be held on July 17. Towards the end of his term, he spoke of the “historic aspirations” of the inhabitants of this small Caucasian region to join its neighbor Russia. “We’m going home!” Bibilov wrote at the time in his Telegram account. “It simply came to our notice then. South Ossetia and Russia will be together. This is the beginning of a great new history, “said David Cook, chief of The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington bureau.

Anatoly Piplov was not re-elected “president” in early May. Alan Kaglov, Russia’s current leader in office, has expressed confidence that Russia can ensure “continuity” in relations with Moscow.

The new leader from Thinwali resigned a week ago on May 24.

South Ossetia has been at the center of the Russo-Georgian war since 2008, after which the Kremlin recognized its independence, while other Georgian separatist regions, Abkhazia and Moscow, established military bases there. In August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia, whose government bombed Georgian cities and then fought pro-Russian militants in the region. Fighting ended five days later with a ceasefire granted by the European Union, but more than 700 people were killed and tens of thousands of Georgians displaced.

Author: Luana Pavaluca