Integrating ex-Maoist combatants into Nepal Army (NA) was certainly risky, but the risk of not doing it was even greater. Thankfully, after six years of twists and turns, the issue of integration was finally completed when 1,352 personnel—who underwent training at eight different centers of the army across the country—performed the ‘passing-out’ parade at functions held at training centers. Seventy more officer cadets will complete their training in two months.
Many military officials, ex-servicemen and intelligentsia were afraid that the professionalism of the national army could be compromised or could erode once the politically indoctrinated ex-combatants were taken in. The fear was further heightened after the leaked Shaktikhor video. But the way the integration process—which was also viewed as a prelude to the overall peace process—was crafted and executed against all odds was exemplary, and greatly enhanced the professionalism of NA. It improved civil-military relations and helped shape national reconciliation. [break]
Republica
Professionalism is a hallmark of military organizations. Professionalism creates structured and efficient military that is proficient at serving the society and state by defending them from internal and external aggression. Military training, professionalism, and a focused curriculum that incorporates reconciliation values help mitigate negativity in the military. The integrated ex-combatants have undergone military professionalism programs and have been re-educated on the glorious history of Nepal Army and its current role.
They have undergone rigorous training as per the prevailing standards of Nepal Army. This ensures that the integration of ex-combatants into Nepal Army will not affect its military professionalism. Once the integrated soldiers complete their training and get commissioned, their promotion and other welfare aspects will be carried out in compliance with the General Principles and Army Regulation 2069 of Nepal Army.
Military professionalism is indispensable for sustainable post-conflict stability and reconciliation. It facilitates the development of an organized and combat-efficient military, as well as promoting healthy civil-military relations. Samuel Huntington offers three characteristics that distinguish the military profession from other vocations: expertise, responsibility and corporateness.
Expertise is gained through all-purpose learning and training for specialized knowledge and skills. What distinguishes the military from other professions is the military’s skill in managing violence. The second characteristic of the military is its responsibility to protect society and the state. Recruits in a professional, integrated military train and eat together, and sleep in the same halls. This instills in them a sense of unity, esprit de corps, common duties and responsibilities, ethics and values, which are universal military traits that make integration easier.
The home-grown integration process can be an inspiration to researchers and academicians. The role of Nepal Army has been instrumental in the entire process. The seven-point agreement, seen as the cornerstone of the integration, is believed to be the brainchild of Nepal Army.
A non-paper proposal on integration had been handed over to the government which was lauded by political parties across the board, thereby forming the bedrock for the seven point agreement. NA also expressed its willingness to make waivers on age, marital status and educational qualifications of ex-combatants. NA has already established Directorate General on National Development and Security, which will have four further directorates to deal with infrastructure development, rescue and relief operations, and forest and industrial security in order to absorb the integrated combatants.
This overarching gesture of NA suggests that it has dutifully upheld the constitution and complied with the political agreements, which have given a much needed momentum to the peace process at this critical juncture. NA vouched to be a part of the solution rather than an obstacle to the peace process, and has welcomed the ex-combatants wholeheartedly into its rank and file.
In the process, NA proved its willingness to carry out legitimate government orders without hesitation.
The size of an army cannot be analyzed in isolation; it is intrinsically linked to roles that have been awarded to it, which trickle down directly from national security policy. In the absence of a concrete national security policy, there have not been clear-cut roles for security agencies. This has led to the role duplication for many agencies, which is unfortunate.
Efforts to redesign and restructure NA to meet the complexities of the 21st century have significantly modernized the national army and raised its professionalism, which is welcome.
Today the nation is going through complex political, social, economic and psychological changes. The physical as well as moral integration of ex-combatants in NA will be assured by inculcating in them the core values of Nepal Army, and most notably, preserving its apolitical and non-partisan character. The overall destiny of the peace process and the future of the nation may very well hinge on the accomplishment of this task.
The author is with the Directorate of Public Relations at Nepal Army Headquarters
chhetri_abhaya@yahoo.com
Related story
My homecoming
