In May 1992, a civil war erupted in Tajikistan when the Tajik opposition seized power from the Tajik Supreme Soviet. The opposition was defeated in December 1992. However, opposition forces have continued to destabilize the country. Many of the opposition forces operate across the Tajik-Afghan border. In response, Tajik Armed Forces as well as Russian Border Forces are deployed along the border to repel infiltration. In addition, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has deployed a peacekeeping force within the country.
On October 29, 1992, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali sent a Good Offices mission to Tajikistan at the invitation of the Acting President of the Republic of Tajikistan. This was followed by the dispatch of a small UN unit of political, military and humanitarian officers on January 21, 1993 to monitor the situation on the ground. The Secretary- General subsequently appointed a Special Envoy on April 26th. Between April and October 1994, the Special Envoy led three rounds of Inter-Tajik talks on national reconciliation which resulted in a temporary cease-fire and the establishment of a Joint Commission to oversee its implementation.
On December 16, 1994, the Security Council established the UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) pursuant to resolution 968. UNMOT was established subject to the agreement that the parties would continue to pursue an effective cease-fire, national reconciliation and the promotion of democracy. UNMOT's mandate is to assist the Joint Commission in monitoring the cease-fire and to investigate reports of cease-fire violations; to maintain close contact with the parties to the conflict; and to provide support to the Special Envoy.
Heavy fighting between government and opposition forces continued throughout 1996. A tentative cease-fire was reached between the president and the main opposition leader in early December. A more permanent cease-fire is to be signed in Moscow and will be monitored by UNMOT. In addition, the agreement includes plans for the formation of a national reconciliation commission that will seek to open up the political process in Tajikistan.
