Source: https://president.tj/tajikistan/strengthening_of_state_independence [1]

Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, in one of his first addresses in connection with the situation at that time in the country, said: “We are obliged, first of all, to ensure the security of the state, create an army and strengthen the positions of the police, the National Security Committee and other law enforcement agencies” .

In a short period of time, national security and police agencies were reorganized in all cities and districts of the country, they were supplied with the necessary weapons and ammunition, hundreds of young people were mobilized to work in these agencies. Despite the economic instability, the Head of the Tajik state, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, first of all set about creating a national army and took concrete measures to strengthen the southern borders of Tajikistan.

From the first days of the XVI Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan, which played a crucial role in the history of the new Tajik state, the new head of state considered the restoration of peace to be one of the main and priority tasks.

The first resolutions adopted under the chairmanship of the new head of state, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, at the historic XVI Session, concerned the disarmament of illegal armed groups, the return of forced refugees to their homeland, the introduction of the joint peacekeeping forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States into Tajikistan and the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Taking into account the circumstances of those days and in order to stabilize the socio-political situation as soon as possible, the operational management of power ministries and departments, law enforcement agencies was entrusted to the Head of State, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan dated December 18, 1992.

On the same day, that is, December 18, 1992, signed by the Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan “On the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan” was adopted, which laid the legal basis for the creation of the National Army.

The Head of State, with his characteristic selflessness and devotion to his work, managed to gather around him all the healthy forces of society and save the new Tajikistan from the abyss of destruction.

Taking into account the bitter lessons of ancient history and the first years of independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, from the first days of his leadership, the young leader of the state paid special attention to the creation, strengthening and training of the Armed Forces and all law enforcement agencies in order to have a tempered defense power in all respects to ensure inviolability and sustainability of the new Tajik state.

The National Guard of the Republic of Tajikistan is one of the types of the Armed Forces of the country. It is under the jurisdiction of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and is one of the reserve forces of the Head of State.

This prestigious military structure was first created in January 1995 on the basis of a rapid response brigade (military unit 3571 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan) under the name “Presidential Guard”.

The personnel detachment of the Guard from the first days steadfastly and persistently began to serve in the fateful moments of the nation, defeated illegal armed formations on the battlefield and earned the trust of the Head of State and the people of the country.

In the first years of independence of Tajikistan, the officers and soldiers of the Guard, along with other military personnel of law enforcement agencies, made a valuable contribution to the restoration of the constitutional order, ensuring security and strengthening the State independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. The exploits and courage of 302 people were rewarded with state awards, 79 people died heroically on the battlefield.

On January 17, 2000, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, spoke at a solemn meeting dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the creation of the Presidential Guard.

The President of the country appreciated the five-year path covered by the Guard, noting that military unit No. 3571 made a significant contribution to protecting public order and the rule of law in the republic, and it was on its basis that the Presidential Guard was formed in 1995. The military coup attempts of 1995-98, which troubled the people of the country, were eliminated precisely as a result of the courage and selflessness of the soldiers of the Armed Forces, including the Presidential Guard.

On January 26, 2004, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Presidential Guard was transformed into the National Guard of the Republic of Tajikistan, and a new stage began in the activity of the Guard. Along with the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On the National Guard of the Republic of Tajikistan", radical changes were made to its organizational structure, which contributed to a new stage in the transition to the professional activities of military personnel.

The main principle of activity, distinctive signs and symbols, duties and rights of military personnel, technical, financial, material and moral support of the National Guard were determined. At the same time, the main functions of the National Guard were determined on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The main functions of the National Guard of the Republic of Tajikistan are the protection and safeguarding of especially important state facilities, the meeting and escort of high-ranking foreign guests, the participation and security of officials during ceremonial events.

Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, possessing the highest qualities of a military leader and commander, set about creating a powerful and durable state for the ancient and civilized Tajik people.

The leadership of the state and the Government managed to restore local authorities in the shortest possible time and improve the state of law and order, systematize the activities of ministries, departments and state committees of the republic.

During the years of State independence, the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan was reorganized and improved, played an important role in the process of restoring peace, strengthening the structure of the state.

A number of improvements were also carried out in the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which created a fertile ground for preventing and reducing the level of crime, more detection of committed crimes and played a significant role in the implementation of the disarmament process and stabilization of the political and social situation in the republic.

Serious changes have taken place in the structure of law enforcement agencies, including the Prosecutor General's Office, the Main Military Prosecutor's Office, the prosecutor's offices of regions, cities and districts, whose activities were completely paralyzed as a result of the events of 1992. Under the conditions of State independence, their role in ensuring the rule of law was significantly expanded.

Given the serious risks associated with drug trafficking from the territory of Afghanistan, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on June 1, 1999, the Drug Control Agency was established.

In his addresses, the Head of State, along with the need to create a national army and return refugees, with a thorough analysis of the political situation in the country and logical conclusions, achieved an urgent solution to four tasks to modernize state institutions:

Restoration of authority, governing bodies and ensuring their normal activities in all corners of the country; 2) establishment of structures of law enforcement bodies on the ground and creation of favorable conditions for the performance of their duties by these bodies; 3) strengthening the protection of the state border of the Republic of Tajikistan and 4) joining of Tajikistan into the ranks of international community and, in this context, assistance in recognizing the status of the country as a full member of the assembly of countries of the world.

At the same time, Emomali Rahmon added in his address: “We are obliged, first of all, to ensure the security of our state, organize an army, strengthen the police, the NSC and other law enforcement structures, because a state that cannot protect itself and ensure the rights of its citizens, has absolutely no value in the future of history."

The human and political virtue of Honorable Emomali Rahmon was to create all branches of the country's governing bodies from the bottom up and lead the country out of the maelstrom of disasters with the formation of a systematic administrative apparatus within the framework of existing laws.

It should be noted that, according to academician Farhod Rahimi, the unique merits of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, in the direction of restoring peace and national unity with an emphasis on the glorious past, maintaining territorial integrity and ensuring the unity of the people of Tajikistan, regardless of nationality, race, language, religion, national development and representation of the nation in the international arena are considered important and significant.

In the history of the newest statehood of Tajiks, the Head of the Tajik state, Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, has worthy merits not only in strengthening the foundations of national statehood, ensuring the survival and future of independent Tajikistan, but also in reviving the highest national cultural values.