Afghan Statesman. Najibullah, born Mohammed Najibullah Ahmadzai, served as President of Afghanistan from 1986 to 1992. He was the son of a prominent Pashtun family and received his degree in medicine at Kabul University even though he never practiced medicine. Najibullah joined the "Parcham" faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan in 1965 and was twice imprisoned for his political activities. In 1978 the PDPA staged a successful coup in the country, but it was the "Khalq" faction that gained power, instead of the "Parcham". He was named ambassador to Iran, but was later fired for plotting to overthrow the Hafizullah Amin regime. In 1979 the Soviet Union helped oust Amin and installed a "Parcham"-dominated government led by Babrak Karmal. Najibullah became the head of the secret police and was known for brutality and ruthlessness. He replaced Karmal in 1986 as leader and tried to ease the strict control imposed by the previous leadership, but his unpopularity led to his being forced from office by rebels in 1992. Najibullah took refuge in a United Nations compound in Kabul for four years before the Taliban took over the capital city and captured him. He was executed by the Taliban.
Afghan Statesman. Najibullah, born Mohammed Najibullah Ahmadzai, served as President of Afghanistan from 1986 to 1992. He was the son of a prominent Pashtun family and received his degree in medicine at Kabul University even though he never practiced medicine. Najibullah joined the "Parcham" faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan in 1965 and was twice imprisoned for his political activities. In 1978 the PDPA staged a successful coup in the country, but it was the "Khalq" faction that gained power, instead of the "Parcham". He was named ambassador to Iran, but was later fired for plotting to overthrow the Hafizullah Amin regime. In 1979 the Soviet Union helped oust Amin and installed a "Parcham"-dominated government led by Babrak Karmal. Najibullah became the head of the secret police and was known for brutality and ruthlessness. He replaced Karmal in 1986 as leader and tried to ease the strict control imposed by the previous leadership, but his unpopularity led to his being forced from office by rebels in 1992. Najibullah took refuge in a United Nations compound in Kabul for four years before the Taliban took over the capital city and captured him. He was executed by the Taliban.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
Advertisement
See more Najibullah memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
