Haji Mohammad Chamkani

Haji Mohammad Tsamkani (Pashto: حاجي محمد څمکنی; Dari: حاجی محمد چمکنی;‎ 1920–2012^[1]) was an Afghan politician who was a Pashtun and held the post of interim President of Afghanistan during the period of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Previously, he served as deputy head of state aka vice chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council under Babrak Karmal.^[2][3]

Haji Mohammad Tsamkani
حاجي محمد څمکنی
Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council
In office 24 November 1986 – 30 September 1987
Premier	Sultan Ali Keshtmand
Preceded by	Babrak Karmal
Succeeded by	Mohammad Najibullah
Acting Head of State of Afghanistan
In office 30 September 1987 – 24 November 1986
Premier	Sultan Ali Keshtmand
Preceded by	Babrak Karmal
Succeeded by	Mohammad Najibullah
Personal details
Born	1919 Chamkani, Emirate of Afghanistan
Died	2012 (aged 92–93) Peshawar, Pakistan
Political party	Independent

He reached the position after the resignation of Babrak Karmal.^[2] A non-party member, a tribal leader with power and connections in key areas of provinces bordering Pakistan, his influence extended inside Pakistan as well. However, Mohammed Najibullah was in charge of the country, due to his powerful positions of Director of the KHAD and General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. It was during his term in office that the Soviet Union indicated willingness to negotiate and remove some troops from Afghanistan. His term was also marked by the creation of a new Constitution.