Insurgency Success Factors and Rebel Legitimacy
The initial recognition of the Chechen independence movement as a legitimate movement
amongst domestic political elites and administration significantly contributed to bolstering the
legitimacy of the insurgency itself. Decreases in this support reduced the rebellion's access to
official political space, and correspond to a direct reduction in rebellion control of political
resources, administration, and economic productivity. Shifts in support of these actors indicated
a shift in power, whereby the insurgency lost its support of the most powerful people in Russia
and Chechnya. The rebellion's dislocation from political space, institutions, and elites also
represent a dislocation of political power in Chechnya.
Democratic Elections
In 1990, Dudayev, a newly retired Red Army General, returned to Chechnya to pursue a
career in local politics 9. Soon after returning, he was voted president of the Executive
Committee of the All-National Congress of the Chechen People. This unofficial political party
served as the main form of political opposition to the Soviet party in Chechnya, and was based
on a platform of Chechen sovereignty. In this position, Dudayev led two significant riots against
Russian administration buildings in Grozny and a Soviet military base outside Grozny. The riots
effectively removed Russian officials and military from both posts 100
101
Dzhokhar Dudayev, was officially elected as President of Chechnya in October 1991. Upon
election, Dudayev had popular support winning the election by a 60% majority vote
Monitored by representatives from the UN, OSCE, and over 20 foreign countries, the election
was, arguably, the most democratic in Soviet and post-Soviet Chechen history 102. When
Dudayev declared Chechnya an independent state months later, the democratic nature of his
election lingered. Both the representation of Chechen voice and the undeniable support of
Dudayev and the movement for independence bolstered perceptions of Dudayev as a legitimate
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