Who was the first President of Azerbaijan after independence?

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The first President of Azerbaijan after gaining independence was Ayaz Mutallibov. He served as president from 1991 to 1992, following Azerbaijan's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

Background and Rise to Power
Ayaz Mutallibov was born on March 12, 1938, in the city of Baku, which Azerbaijan Phone Number List was part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic at the time. He was a trained economist and politician, and before becoming president, he had held various significant positions within the Azerbaijan Soviet system. Mutallibov was a member of the Communist Party and served as the First Secretary of the Azerbaijan Communist Party from 1989 to 1990, a period of great political upheaval and reform in the Soviet Union.

During the final years of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan experienced increasing unrest and calls for greater independence, fueled by the growing nationalism and the weakening of Soviet control. As the Soviet system collapsed, the demand for autonomy and independence in Azerbaijan grew stronger, leading to Mutallibov’s rise to power in this transitional period.

Presidency and Challenges
Following the August 1991 Soviet coup attempt, Azerbaijan declared its independence on October 18, 1991, becoming one of the first republics to leave the crumbling Soviet Union. In the same year, Mutallibov was elected as the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan (the highest governing body at the time), and shortly after, he became the first president of Azerbaijan in November 1991.



Mutallibov's presidency was marked by significant challenges, including political instability, the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the economic difficulties stemming from the collapse of the Soviet Union. The conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region escalated during this time, leading to heavy casualties and internal strife. Mutallibov faced widespread criticism for his handling of the war and the country's economic situation.

Resignation and Aftermath
As Azerbaijan struggled with these issues, political opposition to Mutallibov grew. By early 1992, his popularity had severely declined, especially after a defeat in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis. Amid mass protests and growing public dissatisfaction, Mutallibov was forced to resign in March 1992. He fled to Moscow shortly after his resignation, leaving behind a country in turmoil.

Mutallibov's resignation marked the beginning of a period of instability in Azerbaijan, with leadership changing multiple times. His time as president is often remembered as a turbulent period in Azerbaijan's early years of independence.

In conclusion, Ayaz Mutallibov was the first president of Azerbaijan after the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. His presidency, although short, was pivotal in the country's transition from Soviet rule to an independent nation, set against the backdrop of intense regional conflict and political instability.