Analysts assess Melikov's risks in addressing Chechen border issue

Vladimir Vasiliev, a former head of Dagestan, froze the work on clarifying the border with Chechnya because of the threat of losing his authority; and his successor, Sergey Melikov, is under risk, when addressing this issue, of facing the discontent of residents of border villagers, Dagestani analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Dagestani authorities have frozen the works on clarifying the border with Chechnya.

Mr Vasiliev suspended the Chechen border clarification process, fearing the consequences for his political authority, said Eduard Urazaev, a Dagestani political analyst. "Vladimir Vasiliev felt that it would be difficult to achieve decisions that would suit everyone on the disputed areas; and he didn't want to risk his reputation," Mr Urazaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Rasul Asad, a blogger and the author of the "Ask Rasul" Telegram channel, also believes that the freezing of all procedures for defining the Dagestani-Chechen border was caused by Vladimir Vasiliev's unwillingness to enter the processes that could damage his political image.

Mr Asad believes that if the border clarifying process is resumed, Dagestani policy won't change, despite the change in the republic's leadership. In his opinion, heads of rural settlements and residents of border areas will play an important role in clarifying the border.

Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of "Chernovik" weekly, has noted that if the border definition process is one-sided and disregards the interests of both republics, this may trigger local residents' protests. And the protest moods that have arisen against the background of procedural injustice can be used for one's political purposes.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 6, 2021 at 12:50 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.