Political differences can derail Nepalese peace process: Ban

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the recent differences between major political parties in Nepal over the issue of the army could impede peace process in the Himalayan nation.      

In his 15-page Nepal report submitted to the UN Security Council, Ban, however, said that despite differences when it comes to process of drafting new constitution, the nationwide public talks are underway and the Special Committee mandated to rehabilitate Maoist army personnel has kicked off consultations.      

Further, the Government has taken steps towards discharging disqualified Maoist army personnel from the cantonment sites, he said.      

But in spite of these "not insignificant positive measures," the report noted that relations between Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its main coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), as well as among the four political parties in the Maoist-led ruling coalition, remain "fractious, marked by public acrimony and weak consultation over major decisions".

A decade-long civil war, claiming nearly 13,000 lives, ended in 2006 with the signing of a peace accord between the Government and Maoists. After conducting Constituent Assembly elections in May 2008, the nation abolished its 240-year-old monarchy, declared itself a republic and elected Ram Baran Yadav as its first President.      

At the end of its previous mandate in January, the UN special political mission in the country, known as UNMIN, reduced its staff to a minimal level.      

"Nepali parties have repeatedly indicated to the UN that UNMIN arms monitors will continue to be needed to perform their current duties until the issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel is resolved," Ban said.      

"The international community remains committed to supporting the process on which Nepal has embarked for the consolidation of peace and improvement of the lives of its people," he added.