SUMMARY

South Ossetia had been an autonomous area (the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast) within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic since 1922. Ethnic Ossetians made up the two-thirds majority of the population in the area, numbering about 65,000 of 98,000 inhabitants. However, with about 100,000 ethnic Ossetians scattered over other regions in Georgia, the majority of ethnic Ossetians was living outside South Ossetia. Despite some tensions in the past like the Georgian – Ossetian conflict in 1918-1920, the relationship between Ossetians and Georgians had been peaceful. There was a high level of interaction in everyday life as well as intermarriages. Like Georgians, the majority of Ossetians are Orthodox Christians. There is, however, a significant Muslim minority. As an Autonomous Oblast, South Ossetia enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy during Soviet rule. For example, in addition to Russian and Georgian as official languages, the use and teaching of the Ossetian language was allowed.

Throughout the late 1980s, nationalism was on the rise in Georgia, both among ethnic Georgians and Georgia’s minorities. Numerous moves of the Georgian government enforced nationalist sentiments, such as measures to make Georgian the only official language in public life. The rising Georgian nationalism was perceived as a threat among the minorities and also by the Ossetians. Taking Abkhazia as an example and using the window of opportunity offered by perestroika, South Ossetian nationalists formed the South Ossetian Popular Front Ademon Nykhas (Popular Shrine). The movement was headed by Alan Chochiev and demanded independence from Georgia and reunification with North Ossetia. To reach these goals, Ademon Nykhas was actively seeking for support from Moscow.

On 10 November 1989, the Supreme Soviet of South Ossetia asked the Georgian government to upgrade the status of South Ossetia from an autonomous region to an autonomous republic within Georgia. By issuing this declaration, the Supreme Soviet followed the Abkhaz example and supported the nationalist position of Ademon Nykhas. The plea of the Ossetians was denied by the Georgian government and led to increased tensions. In August 1990, the Georgian government banned regional parties for the upcoming elections. South Ossetians saw this move as an attempt to marginalise Ossetians and other minorities and to cut them off from political influence in an independent Georgia. On 10 December 1990, the South Ossetian Supreme Soviet eventually declared the Independent Soviet Democratic Republic of South Ossetia and urged the government in Moscow to recognize South Ossetia as an independent part of the Soviet Union. Torez Kolumbegov served as president of the self-proclaimed republic. Also in December, Ossetia held elections for a South Ossetian parliament after boycotting the Georgian elections. The South Ossetian elections were not recognized by the Georgian government and on 11 December 1990, Georgia abolished South Ossetia’s autonomous status.

The rejection of South Ossetia’s ambitions by Georgia increased the support for Ademon Nykhas, which had only very limited resources and manpower. However, the movement formed a military wing in response to the growing tensions. Within only six months and with support from North Ossetia, the force grew from about 300 to 400 in early 1990 to 1,500 fighters and an additional force of 3,500 volunteers. While the situation between Georgian and Ossetian forces escalated on the ground during 1991, South Ossetia continued its struggle for independence from Georgia also politically. On 21 December 1991, South Ossetia again voted for independence from Georgia. But also after the coup against the Georgian government of Gamsakhurdia and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the new Georgian government refused to make concessions and treated South Ossetia’s declaration of independence and efforts to join the Russian Federation as a violation of its territorial integrity. Yet, South Ossetia and the Georgian government began negotiations and agreed on a ceasefire and a peacekeeping force consisting of Russian, Ossetian and Georgian troops. However, the incompatibility has not been resolved and South Ossetia still aims at becoming independent from Georgia.

The Republic of South Ossetia has been involved in the intra-state and non-state categories of UCDP organised violence.