ReliefWeb

14 March 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the appointment of an interim electoral council in Nepal, which he said could end the political stalemate that has stalled implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a civil war in 2007.

“He urges all actors to create a conducive environment for the next elections and to maintain the momentum to implement the outstanding commitments of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” according to a statement released by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

The Asian nation’s political leaders had reportedly failed to nominate since late 2012 a prime ministerial candidate who could lead a new government that would be responsible for holding Constituent Assembly elections.

The country has been plagued by political disputes since a civil war between Government forces and Maoists formally ended in 2007 and the monarchy was abolished.

There have been important achievements in the peace process to date, including the completion of the discharge and integration process of the ex-Maoist army, the successful and largely peaceful elections in 2008, the removal of all minefields, and a smooth transition to a Republic.

However, challenges have included a missed 27 May 2012 deadline for a new Constitution and the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly that followed.

In today’s statement, noting an upcoming visit to Nepal by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman – from 19 to 21 March 2013 – the spokesperson said it “will be an opportunity to express the continued commitment of the United Nations to cooperate closely with Nepal in support of progress in the peace process.”