Q&A: Nepal's future
Former Maoist rebels in Nepal say they are pulling out from the interim government in protest over its failure to abolish the monarchy ahead of constituent assembly elections due to be held in November.
Why do the Maoists say they want to quit now?
The Maoists accuse Nepal's interim coalition government of failing to function in the spirit of the agreements reached earlier this year, when they say it was agreed that the monarchy should be abolished before the constituent assembly elections. Other parties in the interim government deny there was such an agreement.
In a list of demands submitted to the government, the Maoists called for Nepal immediately to become a republic instead of a constitutional monarchy. They also want the country to adopt a proportional representation system of elections, and for the vote itself to be delayed.
They have demanded that a commission should be established to investigate the disappearances of their supporters during Nepal's decade-long civil war, as well as better salaries for their former fighters, who they say are not being properly integrated into the country's army as agreed earlier this year.
Some observers say the Maoists have only threatened to withdraw because they fear they will not perform well in the 22 November elections.
So will they really leave the government?
The prime minister has not yet accepted the resignation of the four Maoists in the cabinet. Some analysts say that in tendering their resignations, the Maoists might just be trying to exert pressure on the prime minister and his allies to bow to their demands.
In a list of demands submitted to the government, the Maoists called for Nepal immediately to become a republic instead of a constitutional monarchy. They also want the country to adopt a proportional representation system of elections, and for the vote itself to be delayed.
They have demanded that a commission should be established to investigate the disappearances of their supporters during Nepal's decade-long civil war, as well as better salaries for their former fighters, who they say are not being properly integrated into the country's army as agreed earlier this year.
Some observers say the Maoists have only threatened to withdraw because they fear they will not perform well in the 22 November elections.
So will they really leave the government?
The prime minister has not yet accepted the resignation of the four Maoists in the cabinet. Some analysts say that in tendering their resignations, the Maoists might just be trying to exert pressure on the prime minister and his allies to bow to their demands.
Are the Maoists likely to return to armed conflict?
The rebels have currently given no indication that they will return to arms, and have insisted that following last year's ceasefire with the government, they are committed to the path of peace.
Correspondents say that one option they may follow is to pursue a coalition agreement with the mainstream Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist) - one of Nepal's mainstream political parties - and in so doing gain a significant share of power in the constituent assembly administration.
Correspondents say that one option they may follow is to pursue a coalition agreement with the mainstream Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist) - one of Nepal's mainstream political parties - and in so doing gain a significant share of power in the constituent assembly administration.
What is the point of the constituent assembly?
Under the terms of last year's peace deal, the future of the monarchy was supposed to have been decided by a democratically elected constitutional body, or constituent assembly, which will decide the country's future by devising a new constitution.
Critics of the rebels say that the issue of the monarchy was resolved in earlier negotiations with the rebels. At that time they said that their declared aim was for Nepal to become a communist republic, and that they would respect whatever the constituent assembly decided about the future of the monarchy.
All this comes amid a rise in ethnic and religious tension in Nepal, as different regional and political groups strive to assert their authority in advance of the polls.
Critics of the rebels say that the issue of the monarchy was resolved in earlier negotiations with the rebels. At that time they said that their declared aim was for Nepal to become a communist republic, and that they would respect whatever the constituent assembly decided about the future of the monarchy.
All this comes amid a rise in ethnic and religious tension in Nepal, as different regional and political groups strive to assert their authority in advance of the polls.
Why did the Maoists suspend their armed struggle in November 2006?
The Maoists called a ceasefire after King Gyanendra ended his controversial direct rule in April 2006 and restored parliament.
The king backed down after weeks of strikes and protests against his rule which saw huge demonstrations against him.
Political parties who were then in opposition, and are now in government, had promised to work with the Maoists as a prelude to bringing them into government.
The king backed down after weeks of strikes and protests against his rule which saw huge demonstrations against him.
Political parties who were then in opposition, and are now in government, had promised to work with the Maoists as a prelude to bringing them into government.
Why did the king back down and agree to reconvene parliament?
The short answer is the sheer size of the demonstrations against him - some of the biggest that the country has ever witnessed.
Faced with this vast display of people power, analysts say that the king had no choice but to back down or the country would have descended into anarchy.
Observers say with international pressure mounting on him and the mood among his opponents at home hardening, particularly after the deaths of a number of protesters at the hands of the security forces, the king had few other options.
The current parliament has now effectively reduced the monarchy to a ceremonial role. It has also ended Nepal's status as a Hindu state and turned it into a secular state.
Faced with this vast display of people power, analysts say that the king had no choice but to back down or the country would have descended into anarchy.
Observers say with international pressure mounting on him and the mood among his opponents at home hardening, particularly after the deaths of a number of protesters at the hands of the security forces, the king had few other options.
The current parliament has now effectively reduced the monarchy to a ceremonial role. It has also ended Nepal's status as a Hindu state and turned it into a secular state.
Why did the king seize power in February, 2005?
He accused Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's government of failing to win the support of the Maoist rebels for a deadline for peace talks and of failing to prepare the ground for elections in the spring of 2005.
However, analysts suggest the king might have been using these issues to strengthen his own role in Nepalese politics, perhaps seeking to create an absolute monarchy.
Whatever his intentions, his plans backfired and he finds himself in a much weaker position now, having in effect catalysed his opponents and the rebels into forging peace.
However, analysts suggest the king might have been using these issues to strengthen his own role in Nepalese politics, perhaps seeking to create an absolute monarchy.
Whatever his intentions, his plans backfired and he finds himself in a much weaker position now, having in effect catalysed his opponents and the rebels into forging peace.
How strong are the Maoists?
At the height of their insurrection, the Maoists were virtually in control of most of rural Nepal, although the authorities disputed this.
They were frequently capable of launching enforced blockades of major towns and cities, showing they had the power to paralyse the economy.
As part of the ceasefire deal, both the rebels and the army agreed to put their arms beyond use under UN supervision, with former rebels confined to their bases at cantonments across the country.
Some analysts argue that the emergence in recent months of around a dozen armed groups in the south of the country - all extremely hostile to the former rebels - has meant that their hold over this populous part of the country has been weakened. In the cities, their support has never been strong.
But the rebels have remained capable of holding large-scale rallies across the country, and have threatened to use this tactic again on a large scale if their latest demands are not met.
They were frequently capable of launching enforced blockades of major towns and cities, showing they had the power to paralyse the economy.
As part of the ceasefire deal, both the rebels and the army agreed to put their arms beyond use under UN supervision, with former rebels confined to their bases at cantonments across the country.
Some analysts argue that the emergence in recent months of around a dozen armed groups in the south of the country - all extremely hostile to the former rebels - has meant that their hold over this populous part of the country has been weakened. In the cities, their support has never been strong.
But the rebels have remained capable of holding large-scale rallies across the country, and have threatened to use this tactic again on a large scale if their latest demands are not met.
Where do the Maoists derive their ideology?
The Maoists claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong and want to establish a communist state.
Their shadowy leader's name, Prachanda, is translated as "the fierce one". The group is modelled on Peru's Maoist Shining Path guerrillas.
Their shadowy leader's name, Prachanda, is translated as "the fierce one". The group is modelled on Peru's Maoist Shining Path guerrillas.
What was the human cost of the conflict?
More than 13,000 people were killed in violence in Nepal when the insurgency began 10 years ago, many of them civilians caught in cross-fire with security forces.
Both sides in the conflict were frequently accused of carrying out human rights abuses.
Both sides in the conflict were frequently accused of carrying out human rights abuses.
Source: BBC NEWS: September 18, 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment