Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2014

The Rahmon Phenomenon: New Challenges for Tajikistan's Long-Standing President

Alexey Malashenko, Aziz Niyazi

May 2014

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Abstract

Emomali Rahmon’s reelection as president of Tajikistan in 2013 testifies to his regime’s stability and its capacity for self-preservation. He now faces a number of complex tasks, which include undertaking economic reforms, counteracting religious smism, and resolving conflicts with neighboring countries. It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a high degree of stability under these conditions.