In Nepal, civil war erupted in 1996 and continued with varying levels of intensity and a shifting regional focus until 2006. The conflict involved the Nepalese monarchy and army, on the one hand, and Maoist forces on the other, with the two sides vying for control of the country’s political institutions and access to its economic resources. The war claimed more than 12,000 lives, with tens of thousands of people becoming internally displaced or being forced to flee abroad.

In November 2006, the parties to the conflict concluded a peace agreement with the aim of facilitating a peaceful solution to the numerous challenges facing Nepal. In April 2008, the Nepalese Constituent Assembly was elected in order to create the basis for the implementation of the peace agreement and for a comprehensive reform of the country’s political, social and economic system. However, in May 2009, the Maoist-led government collapsed and the constitutional progress stagnated, reinforcing the power of numerous political splinter groups, some of which were now seeking to assert their political and social demands by force. Involving these groups in the peace process, revitalising the constitutional process and promoting a judicial and social reckoning with the conflict and its aftermath are just some of the challenges facing Nepal today.

FriEnt Activities

Since 2003, FriEnt has been involved in working meetings on Nepal initiated by a number of development, human rights and peace building organisations. In this context, FriEnt particularly supports a process of reflection and the development and establishment of conflict-sensitive peace-building options by state and civil society organisations. Since the adoption of the peace accord, supporting social transformation processes has emerged as a key issue, along with a judicial and social reckoning with the conflict.

FriEnt-Publications

Synopsis of Several Conflict Analyses on Nepal (2001 – 2003)
Anja Dargatz | FriEnt | 2003