History of Chechnya

Post-Soviet Chechnya

After the demise of the Soviet Union, the situation in Chechnya became unclear. Below is the chronology of that time

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• During the Soviet era, there was the Checheno-Ingushkaya ASSR, consisting of Chechnja and Ingushetija. In 1990 it was renamed to the Checheno-Ingushkaja Respublika (Chechen-Ingush Republic).
• On September 1, 1991 some Chechen politicians formed the "National Congress of Chechen People", declared that part of the Chechen-Ingush Republic became an independent state of the Chechen Republic and stated that supreme power is given to the Executive Committee lead by Dzhokhar Dudayev.
• On September 2, 1991 a group of religious and public figures made a petition, claiming that the Executive Committee was not legitimate and that actions of the Committee might inevitably lead to bloodshed.
• On September 6, 1991 the building of the Supreme Soviet was occupied by Dzhokhar Dudayev's guards.
• On September 15, 1991, a last session of the Supreme Soviet of the Chechen-Ingush Republic took place, and it decided to dissolve itself (under the request of Dudayev's guards).
• On October 1, 1991 some of the ex-deputies decided to divide the republic into the Chechen Republic and the Ingush Republic.
• On October 27, 1991, an unofficial election was held. Less than 20% (probably 12%) of the population participated, and Dzhokhar Dudayev was elected. Many false ballots were made, so the number of ballots significantly exceeded number of registered voters.
• On November 1, 1991 Dudayev issued a decree of Chechen independence (???? ?? "?? ?????????? ???????????? ????????? ?????????? ? 1 ?????? 1991 ?.")
• On November 2, 1991, the 5th Assembly of People's Deputies of RSFSR (the Russian parliament of that time) took place. A resolution was issued stating that the Chechen Supreme Soviet and President were not legitimate.
• On May, 1993 Chechen parliament and Muftiat (Islamic high council) made an appeal to the Chechen people to defend the old constitution and restore legitimate power. The decision of the Chechen constitutional court was that Dudayev's actions were illegal.

The civil war then started. The Russian Federal government refused to recognize Chechen independence and made several attempts to take full control of the territory of the Chechen Republic. The Federal government supported a failed coup designed to overthrow Dudayev in 1994. There were two armed conflicts involving the Federal army known as the two Chechen Wars.

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As a background, many ethnic minorities exist in the Russian Federation alongside a predominantly Russian culture, and commentators speculate that if Russia permits Chechen independence, then other groups might also push for independence.

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