Peace in Nepal: The way towards a new democracy?

THE Comprehensive Ceasefire and Peace Agreement between the Seven-Party Alliance Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed between Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the Maoist chief Prachanda is a historic development that marks the Himalayan country’s burden with the 10-year-old insurgency. No less important is that the Peace accord between them signals a definite demonstration towards a democracy with the Maoist rebels as a full-fledged partner. Although the actual inking of the agreement was delayed, the critical part — of managing the Maoists’ weapons under UN supervision — had already gone through without a hitch. In the event, the differences that delayed the oath taking ceremony of a new interim government do not appear to have been of great significance.

With the accord signed, sealed and delivered to the people of Nepal, the Maoists would now be a part of mainstream politics. The CPN (Maoist) is slated to join the 330-member interim parliament and the interim government of Mr Koirala. According to the agreed timetable, elections would be held before June 2007 for a 425-member constituent assembly, which would not only draft but also adopt a new constitution that can be a radical progress towards a republic.

However, the monarchy is certain to be confined if not discarded altogether. Differences over this detail are unlikely to deter Nepal’s progress towards a new democratic society. The Maoists have all but given up their anti-India and anti-West rhetoric. Their acknowledgement of Washington and New Delhi’s guiding presence at the crucial stage of transition has pledged well for Nepal, Nepal-US, and Indo-Nepal relations.