Nepal: Peace In Limbo

The seven party alliance and the Maoists were to meet for their summit talks some time in September, but it did not happen. Prime Minister Girija Koirala asked for some extra time. Now the decisive talks are supposed to take place on October 8. Both sides have been posturing. The Maoists supremo Prachanda has vowed to lead street protests in the capital city with the goal of taking over state power if the peace talks fail. Koirala keeps hammering the point that the Maoists must disarm before the political issues can be resolved.

United We Blog has this: Update on Peace Process: Today’s Political Developments:

“….. there are very few reasons to be hopeful about SPA coming in one voice regarding the most crucial issue: the monarchy. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is hell bent on giving space to monarchy, that is, saving the institution that the popular and historic April uprising clearly wanted to be abolished…… possible stand on interim constitution, formation of interim parliament and interim government, and to which extent the government and the party can be flexible in the talks with the Maoists……both sides gave thoughts on managing armies of both sides in three steps: First, both armies will be confined on barracks, second, verification and separation of Maoists armies from weapons and, third, integration of Maoist armies into Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Development Army.”


Samudaya has an audio transcript of an interview of the Maoist leaders Baburam Bhattarai.

Democracy For Nepal has been hard on both sides, but primarily on the seven party alliance for not having clarity of thought: Pramukh Dar, Don't Drag Your Feet: Not A Chicken Egg Situation, Interim Parliament: 300 Sounds Fine. It also reports on when the Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli was in New York City: The KP Oli Event. There are extensive video clips.

Madhesi: United We Stand has an article from Bindu Chaudhary about one of the most marginalized groups in the country, the Madhesi: Discrimination: Until When?

About 90 percent of the Terai districts, where 95.5 percent of the total Madheshi people live, have a large number of educationally deprived populations (compared to only about 13 percent in hills and mountains). Again, 50 percent of the Terai districts have ‘worst ranking’ for child literacy rates (compared to 29 percent in hills and mountain districts). Geographically, about 45 percent of the 20 Terai districts have the worst poverty ranking (as compared to 29 percent in hills and mountains). Also, 50 percent of Terai districts have ‘worst’ per capita budget allocation index (compared to about 17 percent of the hill districts). As if this was not enough, only 11.2 percent of Madheshi people are in the integrated index of governance with none in culture, academic and professional leadership. There is an undeclared ban on their recruitment in the Nepali Army, and they are in insignificant number in Nepal police.

Blogdai has a rare reprimand for the king: Hey King: You Blew it!

1 comment

  • I don’t see why giving purely ceremonial space to the monarchy is so outrageous and out of the question. Lots of modern, functioning democracies have this – UK, Belgium, Holland, Thailand and so on. Perhaps the objection is to this particular monarch. (not to mention his ne’er do well son!)

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