Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’: A Journey from Hope to Despair
Armenia’s military defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in significant casualties and diminished public support for Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian, overshadowing the hopes once kindled by the 2018 ‘Velvet Revolution.’ Amidst grief and economic instability, a substantial segment of society now views the prime minister as a ‘traitor,’ with calls for his resignation growing louder as political tensions escalate in the wake of loss and defeat.
The recent military defeat for Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh has left the nation grappling with profound loss and a stark decline in faith in Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian’s reformist government. As the nation mourns over 2,300 military fatalities, the once-celebrated optimism stemming from the 2018 ‘Velvet Revolution’ has dissipated into despair and resentment. In the capital, Yerevan, the streets narrate tales of grief; haggard soldiers, mere teenagers, traverse the city after burying comrades, and refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh seek assistance at embassies, desperate for help from perceived allies like France. The conflict, centered around a region with a significant ethnic Armenian population, has escalated tensions, now heightened by the military support Azerbaijan received from Turkey during the hostilities that lasted 45 days. The initial fervor of the ‘Velvet Revolution’—marked by peaceful protests that culminated in Pavel Pachinian’s election—has transformed into a period of national soul-searching. Following the war, Armenians seem disinterested in the democratic reforms once prioritized, their focus drastically shifting toward the devastating implications of defeat, including a mass influx of refugees and a burgeoning COVID-19 crisis. “Today the country has hit rock bottom. It’s a kind of year zero for Armenia,” states Jonathan Lacôte, the French ambassador to Armenia. Pashinian, who was once hailed as a hero for ousting the old regime, has now found himself labeled a ‘traitor’ for signing a ceasefire agreement that many perceive as a capitulation to Azerbaijan. As protests erupt demanding his resignation, the disillusionment among the populace grows. Amid accusations of treachery, the political landscape remains fragmented, with opposition calls to dismantle Pashinian’s government gaining traction. Former supporters of the revolution express bitterness towards the current administration, desiring accountability for the losses endured and discontent over the administration’s handling of the conflict. “We have been deluged with lies. It’s a betrayal,” laments Gagik Hakobyan, an educator who once championed the revolution. The economic ramifications of the conflict are likely to escalate, as pre-existing systemic poverty exacerbates. Political analysts warn that the situation could deteriorate further as a considerable portion of the population struggles beneath the poverty line, alongside a significant refugee burden. The hope for a prosperous and democratic Armenia, once fueled by the revolution, now feels like a distant memory overshadowed by loss and a longing for stability.
Nestled in the South Caucasus region, Armenia has been embroiled in a protracted conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians. The origins of the dispute date back to the Soviet era, culminating in a significant war in the early 1990s. The 2018 ‘Velvet Revolution’ marked a turning point as public discontent surged against endemic corruption and authoritarian governance, resulting in the ascent of Nikol Pachinian. However, the 2020 war with Azerbaijan fundamentally undermined the progressive aspirations that emerged from the revolution, leading to a crisis of faith in leadership and democratic reform.
In conclusion, Armenia’s recent defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh has precipitated a national crisis, obliterating the optimism that arose from the ‘Velvet Revolution’. The stark realities of war, loss, and economic hardship have rendered the populace disillusioned with their government and rekindled anxieties over political stability and national identity. Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian faces mounting challenges, with growing pressure from opposition factions and a populace yearning for accountability and reform amid a backdrop of grief and uncertainty.
Original Source: worldcrunch.com
