Chechen leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close ally Ramzan Kadyrov could be dying, raising the question of who could take the reins of the semi-independent autonomous republic situated south-west of Russia.
Rumours were rife for some time that Chechen strongman, who ruled the Republic with an iron fist since February 2007, is in a dire state. The 48-year-old Kadyrov, who calls himself Putin’s “foot soldier” had recently talked about quitting. Kadyrov reportedly has necrotising pancreatitis, a terminal condition wherein a part of the pancreas dies due to inflammation and ischemia. His condition has worsened such that he had to be hospitalised several times in critical condition in May, according to Al Jazeera.
Following media reports about his illness, Kadyrov released an audio clip a month ago. Though he did not confirm or deny the reports, Kadyrov said: “They say that I am dying, I have little time left. Firstly, illness and death are the path of every person. No one living has passed this road. Secondly, it is not illness or threat that shortens life. Its length is determined only by the one who gave breath. If I am destined to live 50, 60 or 70 years, I will live them as prescribed, and no one will take away a single day.”
However, it is the succession plan that has had tongues wagging. Reports are that Kadyrov wants his third son, Adam Kadyrov, to take over after him, a plan that was opposed by none other than President Putin.
“Putin refused to have Adam as a successor,” one of the sources said.
Recently, Kadyrov posted on Telegram Putin’s wishes for the 17-year-old Adam’s lavish wedding to the daughter of an aide. However, the Russian President is said to have expressed his disappointment at Adam taking over. According to Chechnya’s constitution, no one below 30 can head it.
“The scenes are absurd; people are laughing at it,” Abdurakhmanov, a popular blogger who fled Chechnya in 2016, was quoted by the New York Times. “It’s utterly surreal to see adult men with veritable military distinctions give reports to and grovel in front of a child,” he added.
Kadyrov recently appointed his son secretary of Chechnya’s Security Council and his representative at the regional interior ministry. The teenager was also awarded two medals in the span of 10 days, including one for active military duty.
But his ascent, if it happens, will not be without challenges. The NYT report added that two other politicians – Kadyrov ally Magomed Daudov and former top Chechen security official Apti Alaudinov – are in contention, though both have made no public comment about their ambitions.
Magomed Daudov gained global notoriety in 2017 for reportedly leading an anti-gay purge in the region, while Alaudinov is one of the main frontline public speakers for Russian TV. His war credentials are highly valuable among Russia’s political class right now, the report added.
