THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN EMOMALI RAHMON – HISTORICAL PHENOMENON AND UNIQUE FIGURE

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The term “president” comes from the Latin language and means sitting in front, at the head and chairman. But in its modern sense it began to be used with the advent of the republican form of government.

The position of president, which unites the head of state and the head of government in a single person, first appeared in the United States of America. Gradually, the practice of the institution of presidency spread throughout the world, and today is an integral element of the political system in many modern countries. A president is typically the head of state, head of government, or both, depending on the country’s political system. Presidents can be found in republics and some democracies, where they are often elected directly by the people or indirectly by a governing body. Their powers, responsibilities, and roles vary widely based on the constitution and legal framework of each country.

According to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Holidays”, November 16 is defined as the Day of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. President’s Day is celebrated annually throughout the country as one of the state holidays and has special historical, political and legal significance.

The celebration of President’s Day in the country is held as a glorification of the personality of the Leader of the Nation, the His excellency Emomali Rahmon, who was elected President of the Republic of Tajikistan by popular vote on November 6, 1994. Since 1994 His excellency Emomali Rahmon, the president of Tajikistan, is a significant figure in Central Asian politics and Tajikistan’s modern history.  

His excellency Emomali Rahmon’s rise to power came during one of the most turbulent times in Tajikistan’s history. The country descended into civil war from 1992 to 1997, with political, ethnic, and ideological factions clashing in a conflict that left tens of thousands dead and displaced many more people. Only His excellency Emomali Rahmon could play a key role in negotiating peace with opposition groups, leading to the 1997 General Peace Agreement. This accord ended the civil war and integrated opposition leaders into the government. Although stability came at the cost of a heavily centralized power structure, His excellency Emomali Rahmon’s role in ending the civil war is viewed as a crucial achievement in Tajikistan’s modern history.   

Therefore, today, His excellency Emomali Rahmon is known as a historical phenomenon and unique figure of modern Tajik history and is respected and recognized by the whole people of country as the Leader of the Tajik nation in the world. On the other hands, His leadership style has been introduced and glorifying as a stabilizer, a protector of Tajik culture, and a visionary leader in regional and international mass media. Over the years, His excellency Emomali Rahmon has consolidated power, systematically marginalizing political opposition and strengthening stability and security of state.

In general, at the 16th Session of the Supreme Council, His excellency Emomali Rahmon, with the election of the new political leadership of the country, made the following important fate-making measures, who today is known as a unique personality and historical phenomenon:

1. He restored the constitutional structure in the country;

2. He prevented the danger of the collapse of the Republic of Tajikistan and saved nation from division;

3. He implemented comprehensive measures to get society out of the political, economic, cultural and spiritual crisis;

4. He determined the main directions of the country’s internal and external policy, as well as the country’s international position in the world community;

5. He opened the way for beneficial cooperation with the countries of the world, especially with Central Asian states;

6. He made the state a member of many regional and international organizations and international conventions;

7. He could change international image of Tajikistan with his global initiatives in the field of water issues, environmental sustainability, peace and stable development in the regional and world levels

8. He could ensure energy independence, break in the communication deadlockб food security and turned the country into a transit country of Central Asian region.

By the noted facts and factors, in 2015, His excellency Emomali Rahmon was granted the title of “Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation,” formalizing his role as the nation’s supreme leader.    

As it is clear, the role of His excellency Emomali Rahmon is essential in defining the political landscape, especially in terms of stability, governance style, and international positioning. Economically, our president has overseen efforts to develop Tajikistan’s infrastructure, particularly in energy and agriculture. For example, the construction of the Rogun Dam as a century construction (hydroelectric power station), is one of the world’s tallest dams and is a flagship project intended to make Tajikistan a regional energy hub. After the ending of Rogun construction Tajikistan will become the regional leader of Central Asia in supplying green energy. In this context we can see the role and efforts of our president in Rogun construction as a unique and phenomenon figure in modern history of Tajik nation.

Actually, the patriotic upsurge and social consolidation around the President of Tajikistan are due to the high level of trust in the head of state, who in a very short historical period managed to stop the civil war, build a successful and modern state and with whom hopes are associated for strengthening stability and further growth of well-being of the country’s population.

Indeed, the President, His excellency Emomali Rahmon, as a regional and global politician, takes an active part in solving particularly important regional and global problems. In particular, He has put forward a number of global initiatives in the international arena in the field of water issues, environmental sustainability, peace and stable development in the regional and world levels.

Also, the Leader of the Nation, His excellency Emomali Rahmon, resolutely puts forward initiatives from high international platforms against global threats such as religiously motivated international terrorism and religious-political extremism. 

In addition, His excellency Emomali Rahmon is active in stabilizing the political and socio-economic situation in the Central Asian region, makes great efforts to establish Tajikistan’s international relations in this direction, participates in building the strategic course of the country’s multi-vector foreign policy, etc.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that for the people of the republic, His excellency Emomali Rahmon is considered a historical figure and the savior of the Tajik state and nation. Therefore, we, citizens of Tajikistan, must always appreciate the efforts and aspirations of our President, the respected our President, who ensured a peaceful life and well-being for the citizens of our country. We need to protect and increase the achievements of our independence and unite even more closely around the President, consolidate our efforts to achieve national strategic goals.

Payvandov Khayriddin Boymurodovich – candidate of historical sciences, Senior teacher, Department of International Relations, Faculty of International Relations, Tajik National University