The Day of National Unity, which is solemnly celebrated every year on June 27 in Tajikistan, is one of the most important historical achievements and marks the beginning of a new stage in the development and strengthening of Tajik statehood.
The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, rightly emphasized:
"The significance of our peace agreement is equal to that of our Declaration of Independence. While one brought us independence, the other brought peace, stability, and national unity to our war-torn land."
History testifies that societal harmony and national unity are the guarantees of a nation's independence and its resilience in the face of threats and challenges. This idea is confirmed by numerous examples from the histories of different nations, particularly the complex history of Tajik statehood.
As a result of conspiracies by internal and external enemies, Tajikistan, at the dawn of its independence, was drawn into a forced civil war. This tragic conflict resulted in the deaths of over 150,000 citizens and forced more than one million people to flee the country.
Law enforcement agencies ceased operations, innocent civilians and many state and public figures became victims, hundreds of buildings and residential homes were destroyed, the economy was paralyzed, and there was a real threat of losing independence and territorial integrity.
In these extremely difficult historical circumstances, the presidential elections were held, and citizens, with trust and hope for a bright future, elected His Excellency Emomali Rahmon to this important and highly responsible position.
The young head of state recognized national unity as the foundation for achieving peace, harmony, consensus, and mutual understanding within society, and directed his efforts primarily toward this goal.
Back on March 19, 1997, during a meeting with the country's intelligentsia, the Head of State stressed the need to create a political, spiritual, moral, and social environment conducive to the formation and expansion of a unifying idea — national unity.
Explaining the essence and goals of this concept, the President stated:
"National unity must be above any differences of opinion, political pluralism, party and group interests, etc. It should unite society, making it cohesive, united, and indivisible. We may have different views on domestic, economic, or social issues, but when it comes to the survival of the nation and state, all segments of society, political forces, and government and public bodies — the entire nation — must stand united."
On the path to achieving national unity and ending the civil war, the Head of State prioritized direct negotiations with armed groups, resolving refugee issues, and gaining the people’s trust. Seven direct meetings involving the President took place, playing a crucial role in the negotiation process.
Thanks to these efforts and the self-sacrifice of the Leader of the Nation, mutual understanding was achieved, and on June 27, 1997, the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord was signed, bringing the civil war to an end.
This achievement was recognized by the international community as a unique experience in establishing peace and stability and is now studied and implemented in various regions of the world.
The restoration of paralyzed state institutions, the return of refugees, the prevention of famine, the rebuilding of destroyed homes and infrastructure, disarmament, the dismantling of illegal armed groups, and the restoration of law and order — all were extraordinary measures taken under the leadership of the Head of State.
During those dreadful years, vast amounts of firearms were in the hands of the population and criminal groups, disrupting public peace and the proper functioning of state institutions. Effective disarmament measures were implemented, resulting in the confiscation of over 45,000 firearms and military equipment that could have prolonged the instability for years.
Ensuring genuine national unity required, first and foremost, the formation of a united country, a balanced participation of regional representatives in state governance, equitable economic development, and the creation of decent living conditions for the population.
Thus, under the wise leadership of the Leader of the Nation, large-scale infrastructure development began — roads, tunnels, bridges, and other facilities were built to connect the regions, transforming Tajikistan into a geographically unified state.
To strengthen peace and stability, national legislative, executive, and judicial bodies were developed as independent branches of government, and the constitutional principle of separation of powers was effectively implemented.
To ensure equal regional representation in the highest state authority, the National Assembly — the upper chamber of Parliament — was formed with equal numbers of representatives from each region.
Based on national legislation, key principles for development were established, including national interests, the current stage of development, new social relations, and traditional values, in line with universal human values, laying the legal foundation for national statehood.
The National Army was created from scratch, equipped with modern weapons, and became a reliable shield for the nation in the face of threats to independence and territorial integrity.
Comprehensive economic reforms were carried out to diversify property ownership, create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship and investment, organize a national budget and tax system, and develop the social sector.
Strategic national goals such as energy independence, overcoming transportation isolation, ensuring food security, and rapid industrialization were identified and systematically pursued.
As a result, the average annual economic growth rate reached 7.5%, placing Tajikistan among the top ten fastest-growing countries globally and the top among post-Soviet nations.
Social development remained a state priority, with numerous measures implemented to improve education, public health, and overall quality of life.
Important cultural events and initiatives were launched to strengthen national identity, pride, and appreciation for the country’s rich scientific and cultural heritage.
With the promotion of humanitarian ideals of prominent Tajik thinkers and scholars such as Imam Abu Hanifa, Jaloliddin Balkhi, Imam Ghazali, Kamol Khujandi, Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, Nosiri Khusrav, and Abdurahmoni Jomi, Tajikistan initiated many international conferences and symposiums dedicated to their legacy.
National holidays such as Navruz, Mehrgon, Sada, and traditional music like Shashmaqom and Falak were revived, alongside active efforts to preserve and develop the Tajik language.
Due to consistent efforts to uphold rule of law and combat crime, peace and security were established, making Tajikistan one of the safest countries in the world.
The increase in foreign tourists is a clear indicator of this stability: while fewer than 100,000 tourists visited in 2000, the number rose to 1,285,000 by 2024.
Pursuing an "open door" foreign policy and launching global initiatives on critical issues, Tajikistan has elevated its international standing and is recognized as a contributor to international policy.
The UN General Assembly has supported Tajikistan’s global initiatives on water and glacier protection.
President Emomali Rahmon has also made a significant contribution to global peace and addressing modern threats like extremism and terrorism.
In recent years, two high-level conferences on this subject were held in Dushanbe by initiative of the President, and the international community has recognized these gatherings as a new international platform for combating extremism and terrorism — known as the "Dushanbe Process."
It is a source of pride that the President of Tajikistan commands great respect among world leaders. For example, during the first China–Central Asia Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed President Rahmon, saying: "Mr. President, you are the most influential and foundational leader of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization among us. You are a wise, experienced, and visionary statesman, and your insights are extremely valuable to us."
In conclusion, national unity for the Tajik people is not only a historical achievement but a source of pride, a symbol of statehood, and a prerequisite for sustainable development. The bitter experience of the 1990s proved that only through unity, mutual understanding, and prioritizing common interests can a nation remain strong on the world stage.
Today, as sovereign Tajikistan enters a new stage of development, the preservation and strengthening of national unity is a sacred duty of every patriot and responsible citizen.
Therefore, we must educate future generations — from kindergarten to school and higher education — in the spirit of self-awareness, national identity, love for the homeland, and reverence for national unity achieved through the efforts and sacrifices of the Great Leader.
We are confident that the achievements of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Great Leader His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, will always be honored by current and future generations of our beloved country, and the shining legacy of this great historical figure will continue to illuminate our path into the future.
Voizoda Habibullo Saidullo
Prosecutor General of the Republic of Tajikistan
Lieutenant General of Justice
