Thirty-year old Ramzan Kadyrov is now officially the new President of Chechnya. As widely expected, Kadyrov was officially endorsed by the Chechen Parliament after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nomination.
Although the Russian government credits Kadyrov for maintaining law and order in Chechnya and keeping it from devolving back into chaos that has pervaded the Russian republic for almost two decades, human rights groups are aghast at the choice. Kadyrov has been accused of abusing power and directing his “security officials” to commit human rights violations against both separatists-real, suspected and imagined Chechen Rebels-as well as, anyone else that gets in their way. His particular group of henchmen notoriously known as “the Kadyrovtsy” (Previous Report) are emblematic of the corruption and violence that pervades Chechnya and terrorizes its citizens.
Kadyrov only became eligible to become President at thirty years of age, a birthday he recently celebrated. He is Russia‘s boy wonder in Chechnya and obviously tapped for success.
• Kadyrov has been involved in politics the majority of his life, first as a teenage warfighter battling Russians in Chechnya during the first Chechen War. He switched sides when Russian forces returned in 1999.
Although Chechnya has still been chaotic, ostensibly Russian forces have gained the upper hand since that time. It is likely that Kadyrov and his family, namely his father Akhmad, chose sides based on where they could acquire the most power. After Akhmad Kadyrov was assassinated in 2004 , the path was paved for the younger Kadyrov to consolidate his power in Chechnya, first as Deputy Prime Minister, Prime Minister, and now as President.
Kadyrov’s confirmation as Prime Minister is intended to strengthen Putin’s control over Chechen affairs. The Russian government and Kadyrov have a symbiotic relationship. The Russian government supports Kadyrov because they believe he is the best hope to maintain law and order in Chechnya without sacrificing too many of Russia’s security resources. In addition, he gives the appearance of cooperation between Russian and Chechnya, thereby diminishing cries for independence of Chechnya. Kadyrov in turn has Moscow’s backing to consolidate power and become Chechnya’s strongman with impunity. This situation would not be possible if Kadyrov did not have Moscow’s backing.
We note, however, that Kadyrov may not turn out to be the puppet Moscow hopes he’ll be. If anything, Kadyrov is ambitious. Kadyrov’s formative experience involves fighting Russians. His ascension to the top of Chechen politics may be an event Moscow ultimately regrets.