Sep 12, 2010

UNMIN Extension

The second critical issue is that of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) extension which is due on 15 September. Chief of the UNMIN, Karin Landgren has been discussing with leaders of the big three political parties - UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML possible extension of the mission's term. With no government effectively in power throughout the year 2010 per se, the process of integration of the Maoist PLA guerrillas into the mainstream has also suffered and the role of the UNMIN has been principally to act as a guarding force and arbitrator between the Nepal Army and the PLA. The informal nature of major decisions that are being taken in the country would indicate a role for the UNMIN in the days ahead with the Maoists in particular supporting the same. The Nepal Army is not happy with the UNMIN as it had expressed disapproval when the Army headquarters announced vacancy of 3,434 soldiers including 250 officers and invited applications from eligible and interested Nepali citizens through an advertisement in Gorkhapatra

            Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Chhatraman Singh Gurung has been reportedly lobbying to stop the extension of the current mandate of UNMIN as per Kantipur daily. Defense Minister Bidhya Devi Bhandari has favoured the Army and accused the UNMIN of being a "spokesperson" of the UCPN (Maoist). The Maoists on the other hand have been supporting the extension.  Nepal Army also boycotted a meeting of Joint Monitoring and Coordination Committee (JMCC) called by the UNMIN after its request to omit the issue of Army recruitment from the discussion agenda was turned down. The Maoist PLA has accused Army of undermining the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by going in for recruitment.

            The situation thus seems to be getting murkier with the Army openly lobbying for non extension of the UNMIN which was effectively monitoring the Maoist guerrilla lodged in various camps in the country and accusing the UNMIN of being pro guerrillas. While the decision is to be taken by the political leadership given the clout that the Nepal Army has attained in the recent past it is more than likely that its voice is the one that may be listened to. In the circumstances there would be many concerns on management of the PLA guerrillas as well as actions by the Nepal Army with limited international oversight. All in all instability brings sad forebodings for the people of Nepal.

SEP 2010