No. 23 – February 2014
Author: Davide Lunelli
Language: Italian
Keywords:
Emomali Rahmon’s presidency
Rogun Dam
Tajik-Uzbek privatization
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Abstract
Recent presidential election in Tajikistan has confirmed Emomali Rahmon as president for the forth time. International observers have blamed the election as lacking genuine choice and pluralism. Russia, China and USA aim at increasing their influence in Tajikistan pursuing regional stability and security. Tajikistan still remains the weakest and poorest among the five Central Asia republics. Rahmon has elevated the Rogun Dam Project as the main focus of his government to develop Tajikistan’s economy turning the country into a major energy exporter. But Tajikistan has tense relations with Uzbekistan, the major regional power and USA and NATO’s strategic ally, which fiercely objects to Rogun project. International players are disposed to support Tajikistan’s development but do not want to antagonize Uzbekistan. Rahmon re-election will unlikely improve relations with Uzbekistan.