Political Crisis in Nepal Could Jeopardize Peace Process

In Nepal, political parties are holding talks to form a national government after Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, quit following differences with the President over his sacking of the army chief. Concerns are running high that the political crisis could jeopardize a peace deal which ended a decade-long civil war, and brought the Maoists into the political mainstream.

When Maoist leader Prachanda stepped down as Prime Minister, he promised in an address to the nation that he remains committed to democracy and peace.

But in Nepal, there is deep uncertainty over what the future holds.

Prachanda, a former guerrilla, quit this week after President Ram Baran Yadav overturned an order by Prachanda to sack the army chief. The Maoists accused the head of the army of disobeying the government’s orders, and fired him despite strong objections by other parties in the Maoist-led coalition.