Images showcasing daily life amidst restrictive border closures in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh
Rethinkin' the Regime's Lines in Nagorno-Karabakh & Its Impact on Baku's Lockdown
A shakeup occurring in the top ranks of Nagorno-Karabakh's leadership has left folks questioning whether it'll shake things up for Baku's 74-day-long blockade of the territory. This blockade has caused quite the ruckus for the locals.
The former state minister, a well-known figure named Ruben Vardanyan, faced the axe on February 23. This billionaire and philanthropist of Armenian descent made a move to Karabakh last September, sparking hopes among the locals that his fortune and global connections could prove beneficial for the embattled region, recognized internationally as a part of Azerbaijan. However, the situation only seemed to worsen.
The blockade came into effect on December 12. A group of Azerbaijanis, backed by the government, set up camp on the Shusha (Shushi) road, effectively closing the Lachin corridor - Karabakh's essential connection to Armenia and the outside world. This blockade has caused serious shortages and difficulties in obtaining the basics like food and medicine. Now, only scarce supplies make their way through, with the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers offering a helping hand. The winter chill has added to the locals' problems, with frequent electricity and gas outages.
The United Nations International Court of Justice handed down an order on February 22, asking Azerbaijan to ensure free movement through the corridor. But sadly, this ruling won’t hold much weight, as there’s no mechanism for enforcement, and Azerbaijan refuses to acknowledge that it's the one causing the blockade.
It's strongly suggested that Vardanyan's dismissal was a concession to Baku, which had for a long time demanded the removal of the so-called "Man of Moscow" from the scene. Baku claimed he was meddling in the peace talks that followed Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War.
The president appointed Gurgen Nersisyan, Karabakh's de facto prosecutor-general, to fill Vardanyan's vacated position. The post was originally tailored to grant Vardanyan significant authority, particularly in the negotiations.
Residents, now increasingly reliant on candles for light, face empty supermarket shelves, imposing greenhouses within their homes to grow their own vegetables, and endless lines when they venture out to buy essentials. The traffic in the city has almost come to a standstill due to the fuel shortage, and the public transportation schedule is limited.
Amidst the scarcity of food, some items, like eggs and meat, are locally produced, or people procure them using special rationing coupons introduced in January. Authorities issue each person with one coupon for each product per month. Rural denizens, used to farming, are better equipped to adapt to the shortages.
Insights:- Ruben Vardanyan was detained and charged with war crimes, terrorism, and mercenary activities in Azerbaijan in 2023. His trial is underway in a military court in Baku.- The dismissal of Vardanyan seems connected to his ties with Moscow and the disruption he allegedly caused during peace talks.- The ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stemming from disputes over Nagorno-Karabakh, has led to the displacement of Armenians, described as ethnic cleansing by some observers. Though Vardanyan's situation sheds light on the political and legal tensions, it doesn't appear to have directly altered the dynamics of the blockade.
- The ongoing blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh, exacerbated by war-and-conflicts, has resulted in severe food shortages and difficulties in obtaining basic necessities like medicine, causing immense strain on the locals.
- Despite the dismissal of Ruben Vardanyan, a well-known figure who was previously accused of meddling in peace talks and having ties with Moscow, the political landscape has yet to significantly alter the environment of the blockade, with general-news continuing to report the ongoing difficulties faced by residents in accessing food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
