The American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus

ACPC Weekly News UPDATE
January 25, 2010 – January 31, 2010

Dagestan on edge as President Medvedev mulls appointment to head the republic
As Mukhu Aliyev’s presidential term comes to an end on February 20, the Kremlin’s silence on its decision to either re-appoint Aliyev as president or choose his replacement reflects the precarious nature and political significance of the decision facing President Medvedev. Dagestan, the largest and most ethnically diverse North Caucasus republic, has been swept with militant violence and instability, raising fears that any further deterioration of security in this strategically important republic could further undermine the federal centre’s already fragile grip in the region.

The intense political lobbying by the candidates under consideration has only exacerbated the volatile nature of politics in Dagestan. Historically, the multiethnic and clan-based power balance in Dagestan has been prone to political infighting, public rows and assassination attempts. This year’s presidential appointment, which many observers believe is one of President’s Medvedev’s most important political decisions, has been subject to extensive coverage by national and local media due to the rising instability in the republic, a number of high-profile political scandals and the general sense that the Kremlin is seeking a new policy approach toward the region.

The assassination attempt on the vice-speaker of the parliament, Nikolai Alchiyev, on January 27, further demonstrated the violent nature of politics in this republic. Alchiyev, who survived the attempt on his life, was the organizer of a walkout during a parliamentary session in October, 2009 in protest against the selection process of the presidential candidate list submitted to President Medvedev. During an address to the parliament, Alchiyev criticized United Russia party members in Russia’s Duma for failing to consult with their Dagestani counterparts and accused his Moscow colleagues of breaching legal procedures. Alchiyev later retracted his statements assuring that he would respect any decision made by President Medvedev. His allies in Dagestan’s parliament directly linked the assassination attempt to Alchiyev’s vocal criticism of the current president of Dagestan, Mukhu Aliyev, and other candidates proposed to Medvedev.

President Medvedev, who by law is required to announce the leaders of federal subjects no later than 30 days prior to the end of a term, has missed the January 20 deadline, only adding instability and uncertainty to an already volatile environment in the republic.