Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon

For two years in the mid-90s, Emomali Rahmon served as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Tajikistan Republic and acted as head of state. At the same time, he held the positions of leader, occupying a dominant position in the state parliament (the center-left People’s Democratic Party), as well as deputy chairman of the UN General Assembly.

Emomali Rahmon was awarded the lifelong title of “Leader of the Nation” — the founder of peace and unity of the nation. He won presidential elections 5 times. He made important decisions to extend and reform his own powers. To achieve this, constitutional referendums were held twice. According to the results of the latest referendum, the state adopted amendments to remove restrictions on the number of re-elections to the presidency. The age of a presidential candidate was also lowered to 30 years.

Early life and education of Emomali Rahmon

Early life Emomali Rahmon

Emomali Rahmon is the youngest son in a large family. He was born on October 5, 1952 in the Dangara district, Kulyab region, Tajik SSR. After graduating from high school, he entered the Vocational School in Kalininabad. Rakhmonov successfully graduated from vocational school in the late 60s, receiving the position of “master electrician”. After distribution, he worked at a creamery in his specialty.

He served in the army in the Pacific Fleet, where he became a senior sailor. After completing his service, he returned to work at the creamery. He also worked part-time as a salesperson. Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov has a wife and nine children.

Childhood and family background

The father and mother of Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon are hereditary peasants. His father died shortly before Emomali took the position of chairman of the Supreme Council. Mom lived more than 90 years.

Education and academic achievements

Since 1975, Emomali Rahmon held the position of secretary on the board of a collective farm in the Dangara region. This was followed by admission to the Faculty of Economics at the Tajik State University (currently called the Tajik National University). After completing his studies in Dushanbe, he took the position of chairman in the trade union committee of the same collective farm. He also held positions in the CPSU party.

Since the summer of 1988, he held the position of director at an exemplary state farm for 4 years. This was followed by election as a people’s deputy to the Supreme Council of Tajikistan. He was also the chairman of the regional executive committee in his native Kulyab region.

Entering politics

Entering politics Emomali Rahmon

Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon became widely known after he abolished the presidential position. Civil war began in Tajikistan when Emomali took the position of chairman of the Supreme Council in Tajikistan. The figure of Rakhmonov at that moment was a compromise, balancing between communist/non-communist organizations, as well as Islamists, nationalists, liberal democrats (United Tajik Opposition).

First steps in a political career

Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon acted as a controversial figure. He is characterized as a man who, thanks to compromises and negotiations, managed to end the civil war, which lasted for 5 years. This contributed to maintaining peace and stability in Tajikistan.

Coming to power and first political achievements

Opposition blocs accused Emomali Sharipovich of excessive authoritarianism. They said that he expelled all competitors from the republic and completely neutralized the opposition. He is credited with instilling a personality cult that violates human rights and freedoms. It is believed that Emomali led Tajikistan to a severe socio-economic crisis, followed by unemployment, corruption, and political and economic decline.

Consolidation of power

Emomali’s past work was related to party bodies in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. However, this did not become an obstacle to the beginning of his decommunist activities at the beginning of the two thousandth. Many streets, settlements, avenues, squares, and institutions named after figures of the Soviet Union were renamed. Most Soviet monuments were dismantled, including pedestals of Vladimir Lenin. May 9 was retained as a state holiday, on which it is customary to honor war and labor veterans. This day is a day off in Tajikistan.

Strengthening power and ensuring stability

Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon

The end of the 90s was marked by a referendum, as a result of which certain amendments were made to the constitution:

  • establishment of a bicameral parliament;
  • extension of the presidential term to 7 years.

More than 60% of voters voted for these changes.

After the Civil War was completed, Rakhmonov managed to firmly strengthen his own position in the government. All his contenders were eliminated. There have been multiple attempts on Emomali Sharipovich’s life. The first attempt took place at a ceremony at a local university: the attacker detonated a fragmentation grenade. Rakhmonov was injured, but escaped.

Presidency Emomali Rahmon

From autumn to winter in 1992, a regular session was held in Khujand, headed by the Supreme Council of Tajikistan to take conciliatory measures. Rakhmon Nabiyev was dismissed. Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov took the position of chairman in the Supreme Council. In communication with journalists, Nabiev noted that he was happy for Emomali. But not everyone was optimistic about this appointment. A few days later, the People’s Democratic Tajik Army, which controlled Tajikistan and its capital, announced in a conversation with a radio host that Rakhmonov’s government was “treacherous and communist odious.” They refused to send representatives of the new government to other cities. At that time, the new government was based in Khujand. After this, an attack on Dushanbe was organized.

In December, special battalions fought into the capital of Tajikistan. After this, Rakhmonov arrived in the capital with other members of the government. Islamists and democrats were forced to move closer to the east of the country. The other part settled in Tajikistan. There was a shift in hostilities in the areas of Garm and Romita. The dominant political forces in Tajikistan at that time were representatives of the Kulyab people. Their main leader was Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon.

Presidency Emomali Rahmon

A number of analysts noted that the Kulyabs won the battles and led the republic. However, the regions gained little under the rule of Emomali Sharipovich.

November 1994 was marked by a referendum at which issues of a new constitution and presidential elections were discussed. Two people applied for the position of president. Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon won: he was supported by almost 60% of voters. Representatives of the opposition ignored these events: elections, referendum. Representatives of Rakhmonov’s opponent made accusations of election fraud.

This was followed by parliamentary elections. Many elected deputies are former militants representing the Popular Front, communists. After this, a rebellion began in the country. In response to the rebels, Rakhmonov recalled the civil war that was already engulfing the country and called on everyone for peaceful negotiations. As a result, the rebels achieved concessions from the new head of state. This was followed by the resignation of the new Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the apparatus, and the heads of a number of regions of Tajikistan.

The Parliament of Tajikistan adopted a resolution to grant amnesty to representatives of the riots. At the same time, a condition was set: to hand over all weapons. The very next day, the rebel brigades surrendered their armored vehicles and weapons. Another prime minister was appointed. representatives of Russia, led by Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, noted such a step as reasonable and sensible.

At that time, Afghanistan was under Taliban rule. In the summer of 1997, the administration led by Rakhmonov concluded a truce with representatives of the United Tajik Opposition. After this, representatives of the Islamists began to join government structures: parliamentary and army. This contributed to the end of the Civil War. The warlord who controlled Darband refused to accept peace and continued to rebel with his supporters. Military operations were carried out to destroy the criminal group.

Foreign policy Emomali Rahmon

Foreign policy Emomali Rahmon

Regarding foreign policy, at the time Rakhmonov came to power, tense relations between Tajikistan and neighboring republics remained over water resources. During his leadership of the country, Emomali Sharipovich resolved territorial disputes with China, which lasted more than 120 years.

During a visit to Beijing in the spring of 2003, Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov agreed to the cession of areas in the Eastern Pamirs to the PRC. The Chinese claimed much larger territories, but an agreement was reached. 0.7% of Tajik territories went to China.

Representatives of the European Council on Foreign Relations called Rakhmonov “Leader of the 21st century.”

Relations with other countries and international organizations

Over the past periods, after Tajikistan gained state independence, Emomali Rahmon directed efforts to establish diplomatic relations with more than 175 countries of the world. This was accompanied by successful, consistent implementation of its own domestic and foreign policies. This guaranteed the establishment of protection for human rights and freedoms, regardless of his nationality, race, or religious affiliation. Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov recognized the following legal documents:

  • UN Charter of Nations;
  • Helsinki Final Act;
  • Paris Declaration.

Other international legal instruments have also been recognized.

Emomali Rahmon made many efforts to increase the international prestige of Tajikistan. He solved global problems and achieved significant success.

Participation in regional and international initiatives

Emomali Rahmon spoke from the UN rostrum many times. Along with discussing the problems of Tajikistan, he always tried to draw the attention of other leaders to the Afghan tragedy. Questions were often raised regarding the adoption of anti-terrorism measures, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, and uneven development of government structures. Topics were raised on providing the population with purified water. Other global issues were also discussed.

Social and economic changes

Before the collapse of the USSR, Tajikistan was the poorest Soviet republic. The civil war killed hundreds of thousands of people, causing significant damage to the country. Tajikistan lost more than $5 billion, which is equivalent to more than 15 annual budgets.

The most pressing problem in Tajikistan is poverty. To overcome poverty, special Documents were developed. By addressing the basic needs of the household, poverty was reduced by 20%.

The economic indicators of Tajikistan largely depend on the money earned by labor emigrants. The receipt of funds from this category of people accounts for more than 40% of the country’s total GDP.

Improving social conditions and infrastructure

Emomali Rahmon sometimes visited rural educational institutions, where he once saw a teacher wearing gold crowns. This was followed by an order to remove gold teeth from the entire population of Tajikistan.

Talbak Nazarov became the author of a number of books about Emomali Rakhmonov. They talk about the leader acting as the savior of the nation, the founder of peace, and the unity of the nation. Together with Emomali Sharipovich, the stage of creation began. The books described were dedicated to the 15 years of independence of Tajikistan. In March 2017, Emomali Sharipovich spoke to the Tajik intelligentsia, where he called on people to return to their cultural roots and use national toponymy.

Economic development and industries

The head of Tajikistan managed to ensure peace and national unity. This has become a solid, reliable basis that allows us to move to a new stage of economic development and begin creative work.

Lasting legacy

Emomali Rahmon was awarded numerous awards and honorary titles. He is the Hero of Tajikistan. He was also awarded the Order of the Trustee Star, the highest award in the International Charitable Foundation. Winner of the Order of the National Hero of Afghanistan, Gold Medal in the People’s Parliament of Egypt, Gold Medal of Honor from UNESCO, Gold Medal named after. N. Blokhin — the highest award of the medical Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation.

Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov is the holder of the Order of Three Stars of the first degree of the Republic of Latvia, as well as the Order of Russia Alexander Nevsky.

Conclusion

While Tajikistan was going through new stages of building itself as a young state, Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov made an invaluable contribution to this process. This is a unique historical figure who played an important role in shaping the destinies of the people of Tajikistan. Emomali Rakhmonov was characterized as a majestic, courageous, compassionate person. He managed to guide the people towards self-awareness and self-knowledge.

The consistent efforts of Emomali Sharipovich to prevent a national tragedy and strengthened the independence of the young state of Tajikistan. Thanks to the fact that a start has been made towards the revival of the state structure, the people of Tajikistan have the opportunity to create a better future for themselves today.

Tadjikistan