Sawt Falasteen - Veteran Tajik leader's absence raises health questions

Rakhmon came to power of the poor mountainous ex-Soviet republic at the start of a five-year civil war that erupted in 1992, a year after Tajikistan declared independence.

A Soviet-era cotton farm boss, he played a key role in ending the conflict and has ruled the nation with an iron fist ever since -- casting himself as a guarantor of stability to a population traumatised by war and fearing destabilisation from neighbouring Afghanistan.

The last time live images of the 73-year-old were aired was on January 28 during a meeting with security chiefs.

The two-week absence is unusual given Rakhmon has built a cult of personality and his movements are meticulously reported by the government-controlled press.

On Monday, an old video posted on his official social media accounts further stoked questions about his health.

"No one is eternal. But who ensures the immortality of parents? Their children, provided they are well-raised, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If we raise them, educate them, and give them a trade, they will perpetuate our name," Rakhmon said in the video. It was not clear when exactly it was filmed.

The country's main television channel has this week broadcast songs with sombre melodies and published a photo of Rakhmon on a black background with the quote, "the man of the Sun Dynasty."

In the Soviet Union, sombre music was often broadcast when leaders fell ill or died.

In another unusual move, the presidential administration -- which never publishes Rakhmon's schedule ahead of time -- announced that he would take part in "numerous events ... in the coming days."

Rakhmon enjoys cult-like status in Tajikistan, with countless portraits and quotes displayed throughout the country.

His supporters credit him with reconciling the country reviving Tajik culture after the civil war and decades of Soviet rule.

But numerous NGOs criticise the repression of the independent press and his quashing of any opposition.

If Rakhmon is incapacitated, resigns or dies, Rustam Emomali, his 38-year-old son who is currently chairman of the National Assembly, would take over as interim president, with a constitutional requirement for elections within three months.

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST