Resignation of Nagorno-Karabakh Separatist Leader Amid Azerbaijan's Blockade

The separatist leader of the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region has resigned amid widespread shortages of food and fuel due to Azerbaijan's ongoing blockade, which has lasted for nearly a year. Arayik Harutyunyan, of Armenian descent, stated in a Thursday announcement: "I will submit my resignation as president of the Republic to the people of the Republic of Artsakh and to the National Assembly of Artsakh tomorrow." Artsakh is the Armenian name for the enclave. Harutyunyan noted that "his presidency is an obstacle to negotiations with Azerbaijan" and that "the difficulties in the country have greatly undermined trust in the authorities." The Nagorno-Karabakh enclave effectively gained independence after a war in the early 1990s, but the international community recognizes it as part of Azerbaijan, although most of its 120,000 residents are of Armenian origin.