Chapter 11: Nepal and peacekeeping works of the UN.

Chapter (10) 11: Nepal and peacekeeping works of the UN.

A History of Nepal’s Participation in Peacekeeping Missions

Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping:

• UN Peacekeeping helps maintain international peace and security.
• It aids countries in conflict to transition to peace.
• Strengths: legitimacy, burden-sharing, global deployment, integration with civilian peacekeepers.
• The Security Council has primary responsibility for peacekeeping.
• Peacekeeping operations are based on Security Council mandates and vary based on the conflict.
• UN peacekeeping began in 1948, with over 70 operations since then.
• More than 120 countries have participated, with over 3,000 peacekeeper deaths.

Principles of UN Peacekeeping

• Consent of the parties: Operations require the consent of main conflict parties.
• Impartiality: Peacekeepers must be impartial but not neutral in mandate execution.
• Non-use of force: Force is used only in self-defense and defense of the mandate.

Types of Peacekeeping Tasks

• Prevent conflict outbreak or spill-over.
• Stabilize conflict situations post-ceasefire.
• Implement peace agreements.
• Guide transitions to stable governance and development.

History of Peacekeeping

• During the Cold War, peacekeeping was limited to ceasefire maintenance with lightly armed troops.
• Post-Cold War, peacekeeping became multidimensional, addressing internal conflicts and aiding in governance, human rights, and security sector reforms.
• Second-generation peacekeeping includes civilian experts and allows for force beyond self-defense.

Roles in the Post-Cold War Era

1. Conflict Prevention and Mediation: Prevent conflicts through diplomatic measures.
2. Peacemaking: Facilitate negotiated agreements in ongoing conflicts.
3. Peace Enforcement: Use coercive measures, including military force, authorized by the Security Council.
4. Peacebuilding: Strengthen national capacities for conflict management and sustainable peace.

Successes and Criticisms of Peacekeeping

• Successes: Helped end conflicts in Cambodia, El Salvador, Mozambique, Namibia, etc.
• Criticisms: Less successful in complex civil wars, accused of being political covers, and sometimes having weak mandates.
• Selectivity and sustainability are also questioned.

Nepal’s Participation in UN Peacekeeping

• Nepal is the sixth-largest contributor to peace missions.
• Over 100,000 Nepali peacekeepers have participated in more than 40 missions since 1958.
• Past Missions include operations in Lebanon, India-Pakistan, Haiti, Somalia, former Yugoslavia, and more.
• Ongoing Missions (as of July 2015) include Lebanon, Liberia, Haiti, South Sudan, Mali, and others.

Contributions and Challenges

• Nepali peacekeepers are highly regarded for their professionalism and impartiality.
• Financial limitations hinder Nepal's ability to provide necessary logistics.
• Need for enhanced training, French language skills, and gender balance in troops.
• Over 60 Nepali peacekeepers have died in service.

Recommendations

• Enhance training and procurement of quality equipment.
• Promote gender balance and French-speaking skills among peacekeepers

B and C: UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN NEPAL (UNMIN) AND ITS EVALUATION.

Introduction 

• Background:
  • Comprehensive Peace Accord signed in November 2006 after a decade-long Maoist armed conflict.
  • UN tasked to monitor arms and armies as requested by Nepal government and CPN Maoist on 9 August 2006.
• Establishment:
  • UNMIN was established on 23 January 2007 by UN Security Council Resolution 1740.
  • Tenure extended seven times, ending on 15 January 2011.
• Mandate:
  • Monitor management of arms and armed personnel (Nepal Army and Maoists) per Peace Agreement.
  • Assist parties through Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee (JMCC).
  • Monitor ceasefire arrangements.
  • Provide technical assistance for Constituent Assembly elections.

Evaluation of UNMIN

• Positive Evaluations:
  • Supported the election of the Constituent Assembly in April 2008.
  • Facilitated the exit of child soldiers from Maoist cantonments.
  • Maintained cordial atmosphere in JMCC meetings.
  • Ensured political parties adhered to peace agreements.
  • No conflict between the two armies; weapons remained in storage.
• Criticisms:
  • Verification of Maoist combatants deemed flawed:
    • Initially, 32,250 combatants entered cantonments; only 19,602 were verified by May 2007.
    • Maoist leader admitted inflating numbers, actual number around 7,500.
  • Integration and rehabilitation of combatants saw no significant progress during UNMIN's tenure.
  • UNMIN accused of pro-Maoist bias and poor monitoring:
    • Incorrect briefing by UNMIN chief Karin Landgren in May 2009 damaged credibility.
    • Incidents of kidnapping, torture, and murder by Maoists in cantonments.
    • Armed combatants leaving cantonments raised doubts about effective monitoring.

India’s Perspective

• India is perceived as resistant to UNMIN’s role, concerned about the integration of Maoist combatants into Nepal Army.
• Security concerns in Indian states with armed conflicts influenced India's stance.

Peace Process after UNMIN’s Departure

• Post-UNMIN Monitoring:
  • New monitoring mechanism established under the Special Committee.
  • The Special Committee took over responsibility for monitoring cantoned arms and armies.
  • Successful completion of supervision, integration, and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
• Positive Indicators:
  • Combatants discharged from cantonments, cantonments closed, weapons taken over by Nepal Army.
  • "Army Integration Coordination Committee" established to work with Nepal Army on integration.
  • Downsizing cost of peacebuilding, investing in productive sectors.
• Final Assessment:
  • Future peace consolidation and behavior of released and integrated combatants will determine the final assessment of the peace process and UNMIN’s role.

                                                                                                 Prepared and Edited By: Manish Rajak & Madhu Dahl