In a statement on Friday, Secretary General Ban´s spokesperson said the Secretary-General “has been following events in Nepal closely,” and “urges all parties to maintain momentum by overcoming the remaining political obstacles to hold the next elections within the existing timetable of the recent 11-point agreement.”[break]
In March, the four major political parties signed an agreement which appointed the country´s chief justice to head the government that will oversee the holding of Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, effectively ending the political stalemate that began after the dissolution of the CA without promulgating a new statute on May 27, 2012. Parties have reached an understanding to hold fresh CA elections by mid-December.
“The Secretary-General expresses the continuing commitment of the United Nations to work closely with Nepal in support of the peace process,” the statement said.
The UN has closely supported Nepal´s peace process, with a political mission in the country from 2007 until 2011. There have been important achievements in the peace process, including the completion of the discharge and integration process of the former Maoist combatants, 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.
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