Ban recommends extension of UN mandate in Nepal
The peace process in Nepal remains fragile with critical agreements on the re-integration of former Maoist combatants still to be reached, a UN report has said recommending extension of the UN mandate.
The peace process in Nepal remains fragile with critical agreements on the re-integration of former Maoist combatants still to be reached, a UN report has said recommending extension of the world body's mandate in the Himalayan nation.
The report sent by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the Security Council recommends that it extend the mandate of the mission, known by it acronym UNMIN, for another six months from January 23 but with slightly reduced capacity.
Ban has sought extension on the request of the Nepalese government.
UNMIN was established in 2007 as a special political mission tasked with helping advance the peace process in Nepal, which endured a decade-long civil war that claimed an estimated 13,000 lives until the government and the Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006.
Following landmark elections last April, the newly-formed Constituent Assembly voted in favour of a federal democratic republic, leading to the abolition of monarchy and election of Ram Baran Yadav as the country's first President.
Ban, who witnessed the country's progress firsthand during a visit to Nepal in October last year, expressed his disappointment at having to "report so little progress regarding the issues most relevant to the mandate of UNMIN."
"It is particularly regrettable that the political parties have till date failed to reach agreement regarding the special committee to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate the Maoist army personnel so that it can begin its important work," he states.