Sergei Bagapsh [SEP] position held
of Abkhazia on 29 April 1997.
The Georgian-Abkhazian tensions during Bagapsh's term in office came to a height in May 1998, when the Tbilisi-based government deployed forces along the Abkhaz-Georgian border.
2004 presidential election.
From 2000 until 2004, Sergei Bagapsh was the managing director of the Abkhazian state-owned power company Chernomorenergo. During the same period, he began to emerge as a likely opposition candidate in the lead-up to the 2004 presidential election. In early 2004, he became
, behind incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh.
On 12 May 2010, the FNUA held a congress during which the number of Chairmen was reduced from 2 to 1, and the number of Deputy Chairmen from 4 to 2. Raul Khajimba was elected to the new leadership position, with Daur Arshba and Rita Lolua becoming his deputies.
On 10 July 2013, the Forum signed a cooperation agreement with fellow opposition parties United Abkhazia, the People's Party of Abkhazia and the Party for the Economic Development of Abkhazia, and with a