Hafizullah Amin

Afghan communist revolutionary, politician and teacher (1929–1979)

Hafizullah Amin (Pashto: حفيظ الله امين, August 1, 1929December 27, 1979) was the second President of Afghanistan. He was president during the time of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The Soviets got information from their KGB spies that Amin's rule was a threat to the stability of Afghanistan. They also were not certain about Amin’s loyalty to the Soviet Union. The Soviets found some information about Amin trying to become closer to Pakistan and China. The Soviets also believed that Amin was behind the death of president Nur Muhammad Taraki. Finally, the Soviets decided to remove Amin.

Hafizullah Amin
حفيظ الله امين
File:Hafizullah Amín.jpg
Amin, c. 1979
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Democratic Party
In office
14 September 1979[1] – 27 December 1979
Preceded byNur Muhammad Taraki
Succeeded byBabrak Karmal
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council
In office
14 September 1979 – 27 December 1979
Preceded byNur Muhammad Taraki
Succeeded byBabrak Karmal
Minister of National Defence
In office
28 July 1979 – 27 December 1979
PresidentNur Muhammad Taraki
Himself
Preceded byMohammad Aslam Watanjar
Succeeded byMohammed Rafie
Chairman of the Council of Ministers
In office
27 March 1979 – 27 December 1979
PresidentNur Muhammad Taraki
Himself
Preceded byNur Muhammad Taraki
Succeeded byBabrak Karmal
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
1 May 1978 – 28 July 1979
PresidentNur Muhammad Taraki
Preceded byMohammed Daoud Khan
Succeeded byShah Wali
Personal details
Born(1929-08-01)1 August 1929
Paghman, Afghanistan
Died27 December 1979(1979-12-27) (aged 50)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Political partyPeople's Democratic Party of Afghanistan(Khalq)
Spouse(s)Patmanah[2]
ChildrenAbdur Rahman
one daughter.[3]
ProfessionTeacher, civil servant

References change

  1. "Hafizullah Amin". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  2. Misdaq 2006, p. 136.
  3. Afgantsy: The Russians in Afghanistan 1979–89, by Rodric Braithwaite, p104