The chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan continues to fight for his position

Member of the Parliament of Tajikistan Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, who still considers himself the legitimate chairman of the country’s Democratic Party, has called on the Ministry of Justice to reconsider its decision.

The Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan recognized the controversial congress of the Democratic Party as legitimate on May 31, and Shahboz Abror as the new leader of the democrats. On May 11, at the 18th extraordinary congress of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, Saidjaffar Usmonzoda was removed from the position of party chairman and Shahboz Abror was elected in his place. Several members of the Democratic Party’s board stated at that time that the reason for convening the extraordinary congress and the removal of Usmonzoda from the party leadership was “dissatisfaction with his leadership style and methods of party activity.”

Saidjaffar Usmonzoda reported on June 6 that he still considers himself the legitimate chairman of the Democratic Party, and on Thursday, June 6, he and his supporters held a meeting of the party’s Political Council. According to Usmonzoda, at this meeting, Ahmadshoh Komilzoda was removed from the position of deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, and the extraordinary congress held on May 11 was declared illegal.

“All documents, including photographs taken at the congress on May 11, where 90 percent of the participants were students and had no voting rights, were submitted to the Ministry of Justice on June 6 based on the decision of the party’s Political Council,” Usmonzoda said.

Saidjaffar Usmonzoda called on the Ministry of Justice to cancel its decision recognizing Shahboz Abror as the head of the Democratic Party. The Ministry of Justice has not yet commented on the request.

34-year-old Shahboz Abror, who previously headed the DPT branch in Dushanbe, received support from 64 supporters in an open vote. He is a member of the city majlis, works at the “Tochikfilm” studio, and is considered the founder of the weekly newspaper “Istiklol.”

The Democratic Party of Tajikistan, established in 1991, has experienced various intrigues, conflicts, and disputes throughout its history. After the signing of the peace agreement in Tajikistan, the party was led by Mahmadruzi Iskandarov. At the end of 2006, after the arrest and detention of Iskandarov, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan recognized Masud Sobirov as the new chairman of the Democratic Party. By that time, the DPT had split into two factions, led by Saidjaffar Usmonzoda (Ismonov) and Rahmatullo Valiev, deputies of the former party chairman.

Member of the Parliament of Tajikistan Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, who still considers himself the legitimate chairman of the country’s Democratic Party, has called on the Ministry of Justice to reconsider its decision.