Islamic Renaissance Party leader dies

Here’s some news for James: The long-time leader of Tajikistan’s Islamic Renaissance Party, Said Abdullo NURI, died yesterday after a lengthy battle with what was thought to be cancer. The IRP is the only Islamic party in Central Asia allowed to take part in elections. Mullah Nuri founded the Islamic Movement of Tajikistan after fleeing to Afghanistan during the Tajik Civil War (lasting from 1992-1997). He played an important role in forming the United Tajik Opposition, which fought the civil war against the Popular Front which was headed by current Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov. Fearing the instability of military escalation in Tajikistan and the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan the Russians supported an agreement between Rakhmonov and the United Tajik Opposition. The agreement resulted in a coalition government headed by the ruling Kulabi faction with the UTO as its junior partner. The agreement came into effect in June 1997, bring an end to the civil war which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 50,000 people, most of whom died during the height of hostilities between 1992 and 1993.

Nuri was very influential within the party. What does his death mean for the future of the IRP? Well, they only have 2 of 63 seats in the Assembly of Representatives, and have over the years been edged into obscurity due to President Rakhmonov’s political maneuvering. I am not sure who is tipped to take over, the IRP was set to name their presidential candidate in August or September this year. Maybe James & Co. can give us a little insight into what is going on.