List of Presidents of Tajikistan: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Tajikistan from 1990 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Tajikistan, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Tajikistan: Emomali Rahmon (in office since 1994).

Presidents of Tajikistan in order, with years in office

Qahhor Mahkamov

Served: 1990–1991

First president of the Tajik SSR; resigned on 31 August 1991, shortly before Tajikistan declared independence on 9 September.

Qadriddin Aslonov

Served: 1991 (acting)

Chairman of the Supreme Soviet who acted as president from 31 August to 23 September 1991, until he was removed and Rahmon Nabiyev was installed.

Rahmon Nabiyev

Served: 1991–1992

Former Communist Party first secretary who held the presidency briefly in September 1991, then from 2 December 1991 as the first elected president, until he was forced out on 7 September 1992 during the civil war.

Akbarsho Iskandarov

Served: 1991 and 1992 (acting)

Chairman of the Supreme Soviet who twice acted as president: from 6 October to 2 December 1991 and from 7 September to 20 November 1992.

Emomali Rahmon

Served: 1992–1994

Head of state as chairman of the Supreme Soviet from November 1992, after the post of president had been abolished. He was not styled president in this period.

Emomali Rahmon

Served: 1994–present

President since 16 November 1994, after the office was restored by the 1994 constitution; re-elected in 1999, 2006, 2013 and 2020. His official titles include “Leader of the Nation”.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Tajikistan

Who is the current president of Tajikistan?

The current president of Tajikistan is Emomali Rahmon, in office since 1994.

Who were the previous presidents of Tajikistan?

The presidents and heads of state of Tajikistan listed on this page, in order, are: Qahhor Mahkamov, Qadriddin Aslonov, Rahmon Nabiyev, Akbarsho Iskandarov, Emomali Rahmon.

Who was the first president of Tajikistan?

Qahhor Mahkamov was the first president of Tajikistan, in office 1990–1991.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Tajikistan, List of leaders of Tajikistan and the biographies of Aslonov, Nabiyev, Iskandarov and Rahmon; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Khovar, Trend and Li Qiang meeting reports confirming Rahmon in office in October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). The presidency was created in the Tajik SSR in 1990 and was abolished in 1992 and restored in 1994; the 1992–94 head of state is listed with that explained.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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