Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government and
a civil war since it gained independence in 1991 when the USSR
collapsed. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997,
but implementation has progressed slowly. Nevertheless, a number of
opposition political parties have been legalized and are participating
in elections, suggesting that the country may be stabilizing
politically. Russian-led peacekeeping troops are based throughout the
country, and Russian-commanded border guards are stationed along the
border with Afghanistan.