UN warns Nepal faces political turmoil after premier's resignation

May 5, 2009, 19:16 GMT

New York - Distrust among Nepal's political parties and the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Pachandra' may lead to a political paralysis that will affect the peace process between the government and the Maoist movement, a UN official said Tuesday.

Karin Landgren, the UN secretary general's envoy for Nepal, informed the UN Security Council of the growing political crisis in Nepal, where rivalry between the government and Maoists has persisted. The two sides also maintain separate armies.

Pachandra resigned on Monday in a clash with the army chief.

'These developments have serious implications for the functioning of government and for the nature of the state to be shaped by Nepal's next constitution,' Landgren said.

'In the short term, there is a risk of paralysis with possibly protracted negotiations on forming a new government, and a stalling of preparations for the discharge of the disqualified and integration and rehabilitation of verified Maoist army personnel, ' she said.

The government of the former kingdom and the Maoist party began their peace process in 2005 under UN guidance and formed a joint government last year. But deep differences about their separate armies resurfaced after the Maoist army recruited new personnel

The country is also drafting a new constitution and without the support of the Maoists, which has a majority in the Constituent Assembly, it was feared that the democratic reform would fail.

Landgren is heading a UN mission in Nepal, which is composed of 275 personnel, including 73 arms monitors whose tasks is to keep track of the demobilization of former Maoist fighters. The mission has been assisting the political parties in the peace process.