New York - Distrust among Nepal's political parties and the
resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Pachandra' may lead
to a political paralysis that will affect the peace process between
the government and the Maoist movement, a UN official said Tuesday.
Karin Landgren, the UN secretary general's envoy for Nepal,
informed the UN Security Council of the growing political crisis in
Nepal, where rivalry between the government and Maoists has
persisted. The two sides also maintain separate armies.
Pachandra resigned on Monday in a clash with the army chief.
'These developments have serious implications for the functioning
of government and for the nature of the state to be shaped
by Nepal's next constitution,' Landgren said.
'In the short term, there is a risk of paralysis with possibly
protracted negotiations on forming a new government, and a stalling
of preparations for the discharge of the disqualified and integration
and rehabilitation of verified Maoist army personnel, ' she said.
The government of the former kingdom and the Maoist party began
their peace process in 2005 under UN guidance and formed a joint
government last year. But deep differences about their separate
armies resurfaced after the Maoist army recruited new personnel
The country is also drafting a new constitution and without the
support of the Maoists, which has a majority in the Constituent
Assembly, it was feared that the democratic reform would fail.
Landgren is heading a UN mission in Nepal, which is composed of
275 personnel, including 73 arms monitors whose tasks is to keep
track of the demobilization of former Maoist fighters. The mission
has been assisting the political parties in the peace process.
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