Dushanbe, Tajikistan, May 31, 2023 – Ambassador of the United States to Tajikistan Manuel P. Micaller, Jr, travelled to the Koni Angisht border post in the Shamsiddin Shohin District May 30 to view the progress made by the Tajikistan National Mine Action Center (TNMAC) and its international partners in clearing mine fields in the area, clearing land, and returning the reclaimed land to Tajik residents of the area. He stopped in Sarinamak village and met with local families who have benefitted directly from demining actions.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Tajik and international partners Major General Muhabbat Ibrohimzoda, Director of the Tajikistan National Mine Action Center; Major General Sayorabek Bachabekzoda, Head of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan; representatives of the Border Guards of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan; Andrej Hegedis, Countering Security Threats Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe; and Rodney Robideau, Program Manager from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.
In addition to mine action, the United States supports related activities such as environmental remediation, refurbishment of irrigation infrastructure, and the reconstruction of roads in unexploded ordnance affected areas. These efforts directly benefit the citizens of Tajikistan affected by the presence of minefields by supporting greater agricultural development and spurring economic growth.
After personally visiting the reclaimed and returned former minefields and meeting residents, Ambassador Micaller commented, “I commend the TNMAC on what it has accomplished in its 20 years of operation. This area is a testament to the power of international cooperation, and we look forward to Tajikistan achieving its goal of becoming ‘mine free’ by 2025. The United States is proud to support these efforts, efforts which truly save lives and limbs – and help Tajiks build their livelihoods.”
