Chechen Diasporas side Kadyrov in conflict with Dagestan

The Chechnya's conflicts with neighbouring regions on border issues have consolidated Chechens both in the republic and abroad; however, Ramzan Kadyrov's and his entourage's scandalous statements spoil relations among nations, the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the situation on the Chechen-Dagestani border aggravated after residents of Kizlyar dismantled the Chechen road sign at night on June 10.

The Chechen society both in the republic and abroad shares a common opinion on Chechnya's territorial disputes. The Diaspora, oppositional to the republic's authorities, is fully sharing the position voiced out by the Chechen leadership, said Saslanbek Isaev, a Chechen journalist living in Turkey.

"The nationwide Chechen position is that we need nothing belonging to others, but we'll never give away what belongs to us," the journalist has concluded.

In border disputes, the Chechen authorities have managed consolidating the society, since they act as defenders of people's interests, said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, Director of the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Prevention.

"These [authorities'] actions are perceived positively; many people see the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, as a collector of Chechen lands, opposing the Chechen phobia," she told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

However, many Chechens have fears that Kadyrov's threats addressed to residents of neighbouring republics harm the entire Chechen nation, Ms Sokiryanskaya has noted. After the negative experience of demarcating the border with Ingushetia, the issue in Dagestan should have been solved diplomatically, without threats, she is confident.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 21, 2019 at 03:46 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.