Tajikistan has experienced three changes of government since it gained independence in September 1991. The current president, Emomali RAHMONOV, was elected in November 1994, yet has been in power since 1992. The country is suffering through its third year of a civil conflict, with no clear end in sight. Underlying the conflict are deeply rooted regional and clan-based animosities that pit a government consisting of people primarily from the Kulob (Kulyab), Khujand (Leninabad), and Hisor (Hissar) regions against a secular and Islamic-led opposition from the Gharm, Gorno-Badakhshan, and Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube) regions. Government and opposition representatives have held periodic rounds of UN-mediated peace talks and agreed in September 1994 to a cease-fire which has been periodically extended. Russian-led peacekeeping troops are deployed throughout the country, and Russian-commanded border guards are stationed along the Tajik-Afghan border.
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form:
Tajikistan
local long form:
Jumhurii Tojikistan
local short form:
none
former:
Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code:
TI
Type of government:
republic
Capital:
Dushanbe
Administrative divisions:
2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod (Khujand - formerly Leninabad)
note:
the administrative center names are in parentheses
Independence:
9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution:
new constitution adopted 6 November 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Emomali RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40%
head of government:
Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet:
Council of Ministers was appointed by the president who proposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Majlisi Oli):
elections last held 26 February and 12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party and affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Party of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
People's Party of Tajikistan, Abdumajid DOSTIYEV; Party of People's Unity, Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOR; Tajik Communist Party, Shodi SHABDOLOV; Democratic Party, Jumaboy NIYAZOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), Mohammed Sharif HIMMATZODA, chairman; Rebirth (Rastokhez), Takhir ABDUZHABOROV; Lali Badakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK; Tajikistan Party of Economic and Political Renewal (TPEPR); Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party, Bobokhon MAHMADOV; Adolatho "Justices" Party, Abdurahmon KARIMOV, chairman
Other political or pressure groups:
Tajikistan Opposition Movement based in northern Afghanistan, Seyed Abdullah NURI, chairman
International organization participation:
CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
Tajikistan does not have an embassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address - 136 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone - [1] (212) 472-7645, FAX - [1] (212) 628-0252
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador R. Grant SMITH
embassy:
interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe 734001
mailing address:
Octyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734001
telephone:
[7] (3772) 21-03-56
FAX:
Telex (787) 20116
Flag:
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe
