Peace talks between Nepal’s Maoist rebels and the interim government of seven national parties concluded succesfully on Wednesday morning, writes IRINnews.
This may end nearly five months of negotiations aimed at ending a decade-long armed conflict, which has killed over 14,000 people,
An agreement has reportedly now been reached even on contentious issues like management of arms and the fate of the monarchy, both of which had been responsible for delaying the talks for months.
According to the mutual agreement, all rebel combatants will be quartered in five cantonments. In addition, their arms and ammunitions are to be securely stored in the camps under lock and key.
A special committee will be formed under the new interim cabinet to monitor, reintegrate and rehabilitate rebel combatants.
Simultaneously, the army will be confined to barracks and guarantee that they will not use arms. Their weapons will also be stored under lock and key, according to the agreement. The armed forces, formerly loyal to the king, will be controlled, managed and mobilised by the new interim cabinet, which will also have the power to downsize the army.
With regard to political institutions, there has been agreement to complete the interim constitution by 21 November, establish an interim legislature to replace the current Nepalese parliament by 21 November and form an interim cabinet by 1 December.
The Maoists had been waging an armed rebellion against the Nepalese state since 1996, despite two rounds of peace talks in 2001 and 2003 designed to end the conflict.
But in April, following the end of absolute rule by the monarch, King Gyanendra, due in part to widespread uprisings led by an alliance of seven main parties and the Maoists, a new interim government was formed and a new peace process began.
Kilde: www.irinnews.org
