ocr: The communist candidate won free presidential elections following independence in 1991.Nine months later Dushanbe was taken over by a coalition of democrats and Muslims, but the capital was retaken by pro-goverment forces in December 1992. The presidency was abolished and the Chairman ofthe Supreme Soviet became head of state. In 1993-1994 the communists began to regai control ofthe largely rebel east, but resistance continued from Atghanistan, despite the preselce of3,500 Russian troops on the Tajik side ofthe border.
