‘New era’ for Nepal after peace deal

THE impoverished Himalayan nation of Nepal entered a new era yesterday as Maoist insurgents and the central government signed a peace deal ending a decade of civil war that has claimed at least 12,500 lives.

There was applause from hundreds of politicians, diplomats and journalists as rebel leader Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala signed the landmark accord that formally brings the insurgents out of the hills and jungle and into the political mainstream.

“This moment marks the end of the 238-year-old feudal system, and it also marks the end of 11 years of civil war,” declared Prachanda, a 52-year-old teacher-turned-revolutionary.

“Our party will work with new responsibility and new vigour to make a new Nepal,” promised the rebel leader, whose fighters control large swathes of the kingdom.

Mr Koirala said Nepal, one of the 10 poorest countries on earth, had “entered into a new era”.

“The agreement has ended the politics of killings, violence and terror and started the politics of cooperation,” he said.

“I would like to thank Prachanda for finding a peaceful solution. Nepal has entered into a new era and it has opened the door for peace. Now we need to meet together in cooperation and understanding to make sure this agreement is fully implemented.”

Under the deal, the rebels are to end their “people’s war”, join an interim government and enter parliament. They must also place their arms and their troops under UN monitoring, and will face mounting pressure to put an end to alleged practices such as forced recruitment, extortion and political assassinations.

Once deadly foes, the multi-party government and Maoist rebels have observed a ceasefire for more than six months after they cooperated to organise mass protests that forced King Gyanendra to restore parliament and end The agreement was signed at the Birenrda International Convention Centre, named after the previous king, who was assassinated in 2001.