Nepal in Transition: From People's War to Fragile Peace

Since emerging in 2006 from a ten-year Maoist insurgency, the 'People's War', Nepal has struggled with the difficult transition from war to peace, from autocracy to democracy, and from an exclusionary and centralized state to a more inclusive and federal one. The present volume, drawing on both international and Nepali scholars and leading practitioners, analyzes the context, dynamics and key players shaping Nepal's ongoing peace process. While the peace process is largely domestically driven, it has been accompanied by wide-ranging international involvement, including initiatives in peacemaking by NGOs, the United Nations and India, which, throughout the process, wielded considerable political influence; significant investments by international donors; and the deployment of a Security Council-mandated UN field mission. This book shines a light on the limits, opportunities and challenges of international efforts to assist Nepal in its quest for peace and stability and offers valuable lessons for similar endeavors elsewhere.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction Sebastian von Einsiedel, David Malone and Suman Pradhan; Part I. The Context: 2. The making of the Maoist insurgency Deepak Thapa; 3. State power and the security sector: ideologies and interests Rhoderick Chalmers; 4. Nepal's failed development Devendra Raj Panday; 5. Ethnic politics and the building of an inclusive state Mahendra Lawoti; Part II. Critical Transition and the Role of Outsiders: 6. Masala peacemaking Teresa Whitfield; 7. A comprehensive peace? International human rights monitoring in Nepal Frederick Rawski and Mandira Sharma; 8. Support to Nepal's peace process: the role of the UN mission in Nepal Ian Martin; 9. Electing the constituent assembly Catinca Slavu; 10. Revolution by other means: the transformation of Nepal's Maoists Aditya Adhikari; Part III. Regional Dynamics: 11. A yam between two boulders: Nepal, India and China Rajeev Chaturvedy and David Malone; 12. Bringing the Maoists down from the hills: India's role S. D. Muni; 13. A Nepali perspective on international involvement Prashant Jha; Part IV. Conclusions: 14. Conclusions Sebastian von Einsiedel, David Malone and Suman Pradhan.

About the Author :
Sebastian von Einsiedel works in the policy planning unit of the UN's Department of Political Affairs. From 2007 to 2008, he served as a political affairs officer with the UN Mission in Nepal providing analysis on a range of peace process related issues. He also served as Senior Program Officer of the International Peace Institute and as Special Assistant to its President. He was a member of the research team of the UN Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and worked for two years in the Secretary-General's strategic planning unit. Einsiedel has published numerous journal articles and book chapters on multilateral security issues. David M. Malone was appointed as President of the International Development Research Center (IDRC) in July 2008 for a term of five years. Prior to that, he served as Canada's High Commissioner to India and non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan and Nepal. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the New York University School of Law and is a Senior Fellow of Massey College in the University of Toronto. He has published extensively on peace and security issues and his books include Does the Elephant Dance? Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy (2011), The Law and Practice of the United Nations (2008), The UN Security Council: From the Cold War to the 21st Century (2004) and The International Struggle Over Iraq (2006). Suman Pradhan is a former Nepali journalist who wrote extensively on the struggle to institutionalize democracy in Nepal, as well as on the Maoist conflict. His articles have been published in leading Nepal-based newspapers. He was the news editor of The Kathmandu Post newspaper from 2000 to 2003 when he also served as Nepal correspondent for Inter Press Service. He also served as a Nepal analyst for International Crisis Group from 2003 to 2005. Since late 2006, he has worked for the UN as a political officer in Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and New York.

Review :
'Six years ago, the overthrow of the Nepalese monarchy and a negotiated peace brought the self-declared (but not Chinese-endorsed) Maoist insurgents into government in Nepal. Today, the country is stuck. The parties are deadlocked, the police and the courts are ineffective, and the bureaucracy is corrupt. Despite an agreement to merge forces, the army and the insurgents sit in separate camps, poised to resume fighting. A promised new constitution is overdue. The rural poverty, bonded-labor practices, and social and political exclusion of ethnic and caste minorities that sparked the insurgency remain unaddressed. Some benefit was gained from international aid efforts and two now-terminated UN missions, one focused on human rights and the other on peace monitoring - but not enough to create momentum. Nepal's giant neighbors, China and India, contend for strategic position with little concern for Nepal's complex internal problems. The book's deeply informed contributors from the diplomatic, nongovernmental organization, academic, and journalistic worlds look hard for rays of hope, but they find few.' Foreign Affairs 'Although a considerable time is required to alter dynamics of Nepali politics and to achieve sustainability in peace processes, this volume provides an in-depth assessment of Nepal's transition and present it as a valuable case study for those countries undergoing a similar transition. The subject matter is very impressive and beneficial for both academics and practitioners.' Padmini Tomer, Academic Council on the United Nations System