KATHMANDU, June 15: The United Nations Department of Political Affairs has informed the government that it would wind up its Nepal liaison office within the next three months.
Responding to the request last week by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the closure of the DPA Liaison Office in Kathmandu as the department has successfully fulfilled its mandate, the DPA said that the office will be closed in three months.
Govt decides to shut down UN's DPA office in Nepal
Issuing a press statement on Thursday, the DPA said the decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
The DPA said it looks forward to a continued partnership with the Government and people of Nepal. “The Liaison Office was established in 2011, in consultation with the Government after the withdrawal of the UN Mission in Nepal and tasked to support remaining aspects of the peace process and enjoyed close collaboration and partnership with the Government and a wide range of Nepali partners over the years,” said the press statement.
On June 7, the government had directed the United Nations to close its DPA unit with immediate effect, arguing that Nepal's peace process successfully concluded after the completion of the three-tier elections under the new constitution.
Government officials maintain that the decision was taken as the relevance of the DPA office was over after the successful holding of the three-tier election as per the new constitution.
The government move comes amid reports that the UN body courted controversy over its involvement in various unwarranted activities. The office faced allegations of supporting separatist elements and working in tandem with Western countries promoting similar agenda in Nepal. Most recently, the office was dragged into a controversy after it was found carrying out an unauthorized political survey under the cover of UN Resident Coordinator earlier this year.
