On Tuesday February 22, United States Ambassador to Tajikistan John Mark Pommersheim and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Major-General of Militsiya Saidnakhsh Rahmonzoda attended the handover ceremony of a US$745,543 construction project for the OMON (special police unit) in Romit.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the construction consisted of a two-story building which includes offices, classrooms, and accommodations for temporary lodging.
Prior to this, the U.S. Central Command’s Counternarcotics program completed the US$570,000 renovation of a Border Guard Outpost at “Takhti Sangin” on July 30, 2021. Another renovation project has already commenced at the Border Guard Outpost “Darkad” in the Khatlon province, to be completed within the year.
The training facility project was funded by the U.S. Central Command’s Counternarcotics program and was executed through the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Military Cooperation. Since 2007, the Counternarcotics program has provided over $155 million in assistance to Tajikistan, including vehicles, equipment, and the renovation or construction of multiple border outposts.
Since 1992, the United States has provided over $330 million in security sector assistance to Tajikistan. This assistance reportedly includes training, equipment, and infrastructure.
The United States has partnered with Tajikistan for 30 years and has provided $1.8 billion in development and security assistance through programs that support Tajikistan’s security, economic development, health, civil society, and education. The United States is the largest single-country contributor to development assistance in Tajikistan.
