UN peace mission in Nepal closes with little accomplished
Nepal (AsiaNews) – The United Nation Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has ended after four years. The UN flag was lowered on Saturday, following the government’s decision not to renew the mission’s mandate for an additional four months. Out of more than 1,400 UNMIN employees, only a small delegation will be left to wind down operations. The United Nations will continue nevertheless to monitor the situation through its United Nations Country Team and Department of Political Affairs.
UNMIN was set up in 2007 after the fall of the monarchy to ease the reintegration of former Maoist guerrillas into society and help democratic parties draft a new constitution.
However, none of these goals has been attained in these years because of frictions between the Maoist party and the armed forces. UN inertia also played a role. Some 15,000 Maoist fighters are still waiting in training camps.
Some analysts believe the mission undermined the process of transition from monarchy to republic by becoming a third, foreign force in the country.
Despite criticism and poor results, the closure of the UN mission has raised concerns in the international community about the possibility of another civil war. For the past seven months, parliament has in fact failed to name a new prime minister at a time when the country is in a deep economic crisis.
Government members, armed forces and Maoist officials signed an agreement setting up non-partisan Army Integration Special Committee to continue the work of the UN mission.
It will include 64 members, 16 from each armed force, and will be tasked with monitoring the situation in refugee camps and the reintegration of Maoist guerrillas.
Committee coordinator Balanada Sharma said the initiative was in line with the government’s mandate and would be achieved.
Maoist military commander Nanda Kishor Pun noted, “The committee should provide Maoist fighters with a respect place through integration,” but warned, “disorder might follow if the peace process is not completed.”
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