Skip to main content

Minister Mahat describes Nepal’s peace process as unique

Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat on Tuesday addressed a thematic panel entitled “Implementation of Mediated Peace Agreements, What are the Challenges?” at the International High-Level Conference on Mediation: Possibilities and Limits—Recent Experiences in the Pursuit of Peace organised by the government of Belgium in Brussels. During his address, Minister Mahat focused on Nepal’s “unique and home-grown” peace process with a particular emphasis on the 10-year experience of implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the government of Nepal and then Maoist rebels in 2006.
He also shed light on Nepal’s current priorities and challenges with respect to political stability and economic development. Describing Nepal’s transition from conflict to peace as an example of a successful case on peace building, Mahat stated that the implementation of the CPA was marked by national consensus and resolve of the major political parties. In the dynamic peace process that was fundamentally concluded with the promulgation of the new constitution by the Constituent Assembly in September 2015, we have been able to accommodate all genuine concerns of the socially, culturally and geographically diverse Nepali communities, he said. He stated that it was possible through an inclusive participation including that of civil society, non-government organisations, the private sector, media, community leaders, and most importantly people at the grassroots level.
He also expressed hope that the transitional justice mechanisms established as envisaged in the CPA would be able to deliver justice and pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the country. His Majesty Phillipe, the King of Belgian, was present in the opening session of the conference. The conference was attended by ministers and high-level officials from different countries. Mahat said that progressive and inclusive state policies were put in place in order to address the concerns of the groups and communities such as women, Dalits, Adibasi Janajatis, Madhesis and Tharus, among others. While the government remains serious and committed to the amendment of the constitution and the holding of the elections in the stipulated time frame, it expects similar level of seriousness and positive efforts from all, Mahat stated. 
The Kathmandu Post
16/02/2017

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

India Government raises grant for Nepal by 17 percent

India Government raises grant for Nepal by 17 percent The Indian government has pledged to extend 17 percent more in financial aid to Nepal in the next fiscal year, indicating greater enthusiasm of the southern neighbour to support the landlocked country’s development endeavours. The Indian government has allocated a grant of IRs3.75 billion (Rs6 billion) for Nepal in 2017-18, as against IRs3.20 in 2016-17. The allocation was made through the Union Budget 2017-18 launched by Indian Finance Minister Arjun Jaitely on Wednesday.  In addition to the amount, India has also pledged to extend a grant of IRs113.30 million to Nepal Police Academy in 2017-18, the Indian budget document says. The grant pledged for Nepal in 2017-18 is second highest among South Asian countries, with Bhutan leading the pack. The Indian government has expressed commitment to extend IRs37.14 billion in grant to Bhutan in 2017-18. The amount, however, is 4 percent lower than in 2016-17. In total, Ind...

Nepal to discuss new power trade guidelines with India

The Energy Ministry is planning to hold talks with the Indian Power Ministry over its recently issued discriminatory guidelines on cross-border power trade which prohibit private and third country hydropower developers in Nepal from exporting electricity to India with a one-time approval. According to the Guidelines on Cross-Border Trade of Electricity published by the Indian government last Monday, only companies in Nepal which are wholly owned by the Indian government or the public sector, or private companies with a 51 percent or higher Indian stake would be eligible to export power to India. These companies will be given a one-time approval to sell power to India, according to the guidelines. Also, companies owned or controlled by the Nepali government will be allowed to sell power to India after getting a one-time approval from the Indian authorities, according to the new rules. However, private companies owned by Nepali or third country developers wishing to export power to...

Protests, clashes in Province 5 districts over demarcations

With the government bent on tabling the constitution amendment bill in parliament, protests have intensified again in various districts of western and mid-western regions after a gap of few days. Protests that had been toned down earlier in view of the hardships caused to the locals, have now been intensified from Friday with an announcement of a three-day general strike in all districts of Province 5. 'Joint struggle committees' comprising leaders of major political parties in the districts--Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Rukum, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi and Palpa--announced the strike against government preparations to table the amendment proposal in parliament. The strike has largely affected vehicular movement while schools, government offices, factories and markets remained closed.  Tensions ran high in Gulmi, Nepalgunj of Banke and Rolpa after the protestors prevented locals from using all kinds of vehicles. Over 24 prot...