KATHMANDU, Sept 13: With a change in leadership, the Nepali Army has decided to nominate a candidate for the position of United Nations Military Adviser (MILAD). Previously, the Nepali Army had refrained from submitting a nomination for the position, citing the lack of qualified military officers. However, the Nepali Army has now decided to proceed with a nomination and has recommended a candidate for the role, according to senior military officers.
According to sources, Major General Prem Dhwoj Adhikari has been authorized to claim the position, but this information has been kept confidential. "I am not aware of this matter. I will find out and provide information tomorrow," said Gaurav Kumar KC, Brigadier General and Spokesperson of the Nepali Army.
The then Chief of Army Staff (CoAS General), Prabhuram Sharma, had ignored Nepal's opportunity and potential appointment for the position. However, due to the extended time for claiming the candidacy, the Nepali Army has now received the opportunity. Therefore, Major General Adhikari will present the claim for the position.
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Although a proposal to claim the position came from the United Nations headquarters (HQ) in New York, the Ministry of Defense had responded in mid-May last year that there were no suitable candidates from the Nepali Army at that time. However, following discussions between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, and CoAS Ashok Raj Sigdel, Major General Prem Dhwoj Adhikari has now been recommended to apply for the position.
At that time, when Nepal did not apply for the position, questions were raised about the capability of qualified military officers. The position of Military Adviser, considered one of the most powerful military roles in the United Nations structure, had previously seen Nepal being deprived of presenting a candidacy. This led to questions not only about the military community's capabilities but also about the effectiveness of the then government.
On this matter, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had directed CoAS Sigdel to reconsider the previous decision by former CoAS Sharma and to present a candidacy by a capable general. Given Nepal's position as the top country in the world for participation in UN peacekeeping missions, military officers had expressed dissatisfaction at the failure to apply for the position of UN Military Adviser.
The Nepali Army has had the opportunity to serve as Force Commander in various countries seven times during peacekeeping missions. Additionally, the Nepali Army has had the chance to be an Assistant Military Adviser at the United Nations HQ in New York.
At that time, Lieutenant General Chitra Bahadur Gurung served as the Assistant Military Adviser. This year, the United Nations invited Nepal to apply for the position of Military Adviser, which is considered one of the most significant opportunities. However, the then CoAS Sharma was not interested in nominating anyone for the position.
In October 2021, Lieutenant General Ishwar Hamal took on the role of Force Commander in Golan Heights. Although he was due for retirement at the age of 58, the government allowed him to continue in the position.
With two years remaining in his term, the Nepali Army kept Lieutenant General Ishwar Hamal in his position as Force Commander in Golan Heights. In 2017, when a Lieutenant General was needed for the Force Commander position in Congo, Major General Gaurav Tandul, who was then a Lieutenant Colonel, was promoted to Major General and sent to compete. However, he was eliminated from the competition.
