“Although the hour is late, the recent actions by the Government and the parties, if followed through with vigor, have the potential to usher in constructive actions for the next stage of Nepal´s democratic transition,” Landgren said Friday at a meeting of the UNSC. [break]
She cited the lifting three weeks ago by the UCPN (M) of its blockade of Parliament, the establishment last week by the three major parties -- Nepali Congress, UML and UCPN (M) -- of a high-level mechanism to resolve outstanding issues, notably the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist troops, and the long-awaited discharge of 4,000 mainly under-age Maoist soldiers.
In addition, she informed the special committee set up to address the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of over 19,000 Maoist soldiers has resumed meetings and is considering a timetable for the proper integration of an agreed number into the security forces and the re-absorption of the others into society. Other issues to resolve include the scope of presidential authority that replaced the monarchy.
She recommended that the Council agree to the Government´s request to extend the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for another three months and three weeks, after the expiration of its current mandate on January 23.
In a report released earlier this week, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that Nepal´s peace process remained largely stalled and the major disagreements “remain unresolved, increasing the risk of its collapse.”
Related story
Let’s live in peace and embrace diversity
