We wombats don’t like being disturbed - if you irritate us, we sit on you until you die. The inanities of your world, like electric fences, or being hit by speeding cars, have never bothered us much.
But now you humans have gotten outta hand, with your wars and bombs and poverty and Global Warming and other such uncomfortable things, so we have decided to intervene.
We can help you fix your problems, so we can go back to ignoring you. Ok?
- The Revolutionary Wombats Association.
Democratic Socialist Perspective May 5, 2009 www.dsp.org.au
All supporters of democracy and social justice have reason to be concerned by the recent events in the republic of Nepal .
The military high command, backed by right-wing parties tied to the country’s elite, has openly defied the authority of the elected civilian government, led by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M).
In response, the government sought to remove army chief of staff General Katawal, via legal and constitutional means. Katawal refused to accept his removal and the government’s decision was illegally overturned by President Ram Baran Yadav from the conservative Nepalese Congress party, whose position under the interim constitution is largely ceremonial.
With their coalition partners in government refusing to support the UCPN-M, Nepal ’s prime minister and UCPN-M leader Prachanda announced on May 3 that the Maoists had no choice but to resign and leave government.
The removal of the Maoists from government is nothing less than a coup. It reveals the real situation in Nepal — that despite its democratic mandate for change, the Maoist-led government is being prevented by the old elite from implementing such change.
The Maoists are working to mobilise their large base of support among the poor majority for street demonstrations against this coup.
The peace accords signed by various parties in 2006, on the back of a mass pro-democracy uprising, ended a decade-long armed struggle between the monarch’s army and the Maoist-led People’s Liberation Army. The accords allowed for the April 2008 constituent assembly elections in which — against expectations — the Maoists won the most seats, receiving over 1 million votes more than their nearest competitor.
Seeking the widest possible consensus, the Maoists established a broad coalition government. However, the UCPN-M’s proposals for a peaceful and democratic pro-poor transformation of Nepal that were endorsed at the ballot box have been frustrated by opposition within the parliament, the state and even the coalition government.
It is taken for granted all around the world that if the military is above the elected government and can act as it wishes, there is no democracy.
The Nepalese Army is infamous for its human rights abuses, including murder, torture and rape. It has also been responsible for coups against civilian governments, and the top ranks of the army recently admitted to planning a fresh coup against the current elected government!
The Maoists have simply been attempting to implement the peace accords, under which the PLA fighters could be integrated into the army to create a new, unified military. The army chiefs have refused to do this and instead recruited thousands of new, non-Maoist fighters, in violation of the accords. The right-wing elite know that if the peace agreements are implemented, the army may stop being a weapon they can use to prevent social progress.
In recent years, the Nepalese people, among the world’s poorest, have achieved giant strides forward. A centuries-old feudal monarchy has been overturned and a republic declared. The Nepalese people have voted for a transformation of their nation to one based on equality and pro-people development that ends poverty.
There is nothing more terrifying to the ruling classes globally than the sight of a people winning power. The right-wing forces in Nepal are counting on the support of foreign powers, especially the United States and India .
Nepal’s poor majority need our solidarity. All those who believe in the principles of democracy and social justice, who believe that people should not be condemned to backbreaking poverty simply because the powerful have carved the world up among themselves, need to support the people of Nepal and insist that:
the Nepalese people must be allowed to determine their future, foreign intervention must end;
the peace accords must be upheld; and
democracy must be respected and the people’s will implemented.
The last 48 hours in Nepal has seen a flurry of activity and has created the illusion of a political situation has been rapidly changing. While there has been a series of developments withing the parliament and within the government, and the alliances and support of different political parties has been removed and realigned- the essence of the political situation remains unchanged. The real political situation has remained stagnant for some months now. The actual reality of the political situation is that there is a new revolutionary force with an overwhelming support amongst the people of Nepal is pushing to radically change the institutions of the Nation and to create a more developed and just society. Opposed to these changes are an elite minority within the established power structures that resisting this struggle by any means necessary. This was made abundantly clear on May 3rd when the ceremonial President went outside his constitutional role to defy the democratically elected government. In essence this was a coup. The rightful political power of the government was usurped by an unlawful and outside force. In response to this blatant illegal move, the revolutionary Prime Minister Prachanda, and the Maoist government chose to resign- rather then remain in a position where in reality they had no political power, despite a clear mandate from the people of Nepal and clear constitutional and political legitimacy.
The mainstream press will tell you that the current political crisis started 2 weeks ago when the revolutionary Maoist government asked for "clarification" from the Chief of Army Staff- the constitutional first step in removing him from his post. Instead of trying to provide a clarification and justification for his actions and disobedience of the government the CoAS Katawal questioned the right of the government to seek his clarification. For the next two weeks the Maoists tried frantically to gain support from the other political parties to take action against the CoAS for his repeated insubordination, but when this was not possible, they took actions themselves to remove General Katawal from his post- sparking protests from the opposition, and parties to resign from government, sparking the current political crisis. This does not tell the full story. The fact is that the Army had been disobeying the government for months. The budget was still largely unimplemented due to political resistance. Every move of the government was resisted and every decision was made impotent. The crisis is not one revolving around the question of the army, but a crisis due to the gap between the democratic government and the power they should legitimately hold.
The last few days has made perfectly clear to anyone watching Nepal the real balance of forces within the country. The elected government is in no position of power, even on a question as elementary to any democracy such as civilian control over the military. The real power brokers are 1) those in a position of power within the country. The bureaucrats, the military, the rich, ex-royals and the feudal land lords- largely grouped behind the political leadership of the Nepali Congress and 2) those international forces that wish to preserve the status quo in Nepal as it serves their interests, namely India and the United States of America. The established political parties are all firmly integrated into this system as well which the current political crisis clearly proves. The CPN(UML) while initially giving its approval to the government, backed down and joined the opposition under the pressure of these international forces.
This basic situation within Nepal is unchanged still today. Even though the Maoists have withdrawn from government, the basic and fundamental political situation in the country is that the great majority of Nepalis desperately want real and radical change, and the current political institutions are neither willing nor capable of fulfilling these demands. The form of this struggle has now changed, in light of the coup by the Nepali Congress President. The struggle now is outside of the government, and will be led by the struggle on the streets, and the struggle for the people in Nepal is for a meaningful government that is capable of bring about the changes that they demand.
These demands fly in direct contradiction to anyone in a position of power. The entire economic and political set up of Nepal is geared towards ensuring the dominance of international power centers and the local powers that do their bidding. Creating a Nepal that is truly democratic, and that will create real economic development within Nepal (and geared towards the whole people of Nepal- not just an elite) needs to go against this power structure. This struggle continues to be played out. The struggle now for the Maoists not just for government, but for meaningful power that can really start to build the New Nepal- and fulfill the modest dreams of the Nepali people- democracy, development, equality and justice.
Supporters of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) demand the sacking of army chief of staff Rookmangud Katawal on April 28.
* * *
STOP PRESS -- Ben Peterson from Kathmandu reports on May 3, 2009, 3pm:This morning the Maoists in government made the decision to remove General Katawal from his position of chief of army staff after his repeated political insubordination. This follows 10 days of trying to reach consensus with the other political parties, up until a final cross-party meeting this morning. Failing to achieve consenus, the goverment ordered Katawal's retirement.
Reactionary and anti-democractic forces are trying to unseat the elected government. The major coalition partners in government, the Madheshi Peoples Right Forum and the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninst) have reportedly left the government, and the major opposition party, the Nepali Congress, has small groups of supporters in the streets, disrupting traffic and burning tyres. Allarmingly, the chief of army staff has not accepted his removal, and is attempting to meet with other members of the millitary.
It is becoming clear that the political opposition, including parties previously within the government, are trying to find ways to destroy the Maoist government and to remove it from any form of power. This situation is changing by the minute, but it is clear that very important and decisive struggles are playing out as we speak.
At the same time, there are rallies in various places in support of the government and the Maoist party's decision. The support for this decision and the government as a whole is widespread and while life is generally unaffected away from the major roads, there is an increasingly tense situation in Kathmandu.
***
May 3, 2009, 4pm: The Maoist led government is no more.
I have just come from a press conference at the Prime Ministers office where Prime Minister Prachanda was to address the nation.
The Meeting was first addressed by Minister of Communications and Information, and spokesperson of the Government, Krishna Mahara. He informed those present that the just completed cabinet meeting has declared that the actions of the President in reinstating the Chief of Army Staff was illegal, and sent him a letter demanding he revoke his decision. He also informed that the cabinet meeting has also accepted the resignations that had been presented by the ministers from the UML and the Sabdhavana party.
After this Prachanda addressed the Nation. He announced that he has resigned from his position as Prime Minister. This has naturally completely changed the political situation in Nepal. It seems, my early analysis would be, that this is to open it up to the opposition to try and create a government without the Maoists, which would be extremely difficult and have no political basis- apart from being "anti-Maoists".
It is hard to tell at present the exact course of events, however, when i have more information i will pass it on. There again has been protests from both sides all day, which without doubt would have had some clashes.
Still a situation of tremendous uncertainty. things are changing by the moment, sorry for short post...
Kathmandu, April 29, 2009 -- After the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) won three by-elections in April , it is facing fresh resistance by the old elite.
Nepal's elite is seeking to stop the UCPN (Maoist) push for a “New Nepal”. This has included front-page exposures of a coup plot to overthrow the elected Maoist-led government. The centre of the storm is the move, begun on April 19, by the UCPN (Maoist)-led coalition government to remove the chief of army staff Rookmangud Katawal. This follows a long dispute between the military high command and the elected civilian government. Katawal has refused to implement government instructions.
The April by-elections proved that the program of the UCPN (Maoist) for a new Nepal has popular support. Occurring in six constituencies that had been left vacant in the past year, the by-elections took place in areas across the country, encompassing different ethnic groups and where the main political parties are powerful.
This meant the by-elections were a good reflection of the political mood. Although only a fraction of people could vote, and the small number of seats at stake would not affect the balance of power within the parliament, the by-elections were seen as significant in the wider political struggle.
Despite what was widely predicted, UCPN (Maoist) support increased. This is despite constant media attacks on the government and its difficulties in implementing most of its program.
The UCPN-M retained two previously held seats and won a third. The other three seats went to the right-wing Nepalese Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Madheshi People’s Rights Forum.
The popular uprising and a Maoist-led “people’s war” brought down Nepal’s centuries-old monarchy, opening the way for constituent assembly elections one year ago. Against expectations, the Maoists, whose support is based on the poor, won the largest number of seats.
Since then, right-wing forces, backed by foreign powers, have sought to weaken the UCPN (Maoist)-led government and drive back the momentum for genuine change. The UCPN (Maoist) has deep roots within poor communities, through its work in local areas, among youth, women, peasants, and in the trade unions. So far, the campaign by the right-wing forces that dominate much of the state and media have failed to sever these links.
`New' Nepal
The perspectives of the UCPN (Maoist) for a new Nepal include creating secular, democratic republic; a new democratised military based on merging the formerly royalist Nepal Army with the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA); and fighting discrimination against ethnic minorities, women and the lower castes.
A minimum wage has already been created and the UCPN (Maoist) program promises to guarantee employment. National industry will be prioritised to promote development. Workers will have the right to take part in management. The UCPN (Maoist) also promotes land reform based on the principle of “land to those who work it”.
The public education system will be expanded and made free at lower levels. Private education institutions charging high fees will be regulated and phased out. Ethnic minorities will have the right to education in their own language. A literacy campaign has been launched by volunteers, to combat an illiteracy rate around 50%.
Recognising that health is a human right, the Maoists plan to significantly develop the healthcare system from its current decrepit state — especially in poor rural areas.
Suresh Kumar Ale Maga, a UCPN (Maoist) member of parliament, told Green Left Weekly that, for the UCPN (Maoist), a new Nepal meant “a Nepal on the way to socialism”.
Army sabotage
Following its victory in the by-elections on this program, the UCPN-M has pressed ahead with plans to restructure the state. The existing structures, inherited from the monarchy, have proved resistant to change. This has sparked fierce resistance from the opposition, the foreign embassies and the army. This has put the ongoing peace process, in which the PLA agreed to end its armed struggle, in jeopardy.
Facing attacks from various sides, the UCPN (Maoist) has responded with daily street demonstrations across the country. The core issue is the need for control by the elected government over the state, with its entrenched bureaucracy.
There have been many controversies involving the army. In February, the army recruited several thousand soldiers against the orders of the government, the supreme court and the interim constitution — and in direct violation of the peace process. The army again challenged the government when it reinstated eight generals who had been retired by the defence ministry on March 16.
Finally, the army staged a boycott of the recently held National Games when the PLA was allowed to compete.
The open disloyalty of the royalist military towards the elected civilian government represents an obvious threat to democracy. For the security of Nepal, it is essential that the military be restructured and brought back under the control of the government.
The Nepal Army has changed only in name from the old Royal Nepal Army, which backed an anti-democratic coup to reinstate absolute royal rule in 2005. The retirement of the chief of army staff is an initial step in a process aimed at creating the new democratic armed forces as part of the struggle to create new, democratic state structures.
The basis of the opposition to such moves is the question of power. People in positions of state power in Nepal, be it in the bureaucracy, judiciary or military, feel threatened by the process of change.
The political opposition unites those within the fabric of the old society seeking to prevent the creation of the new. Resistance to change in the military is part of the struggle of the rich and powerful. The elite views the military as its armed wing against radical change.
However, recent Nepalese history has shown that the real power in society is not to be found at the top. Rather, it rests in the people.
There have been demonstrations every day by Maoist supporters calling for Katawal's retirement. Combined with the by-election results, it puts beyond doubt the fact that popular sentiment is behind the government and supports change.
[Ben Peterson is a member of the socialist youth organisation Resistance currently living in Nepal. He maintains a blog on Nepal. This article first appeared in Green Left Weekly issue #792, April 29, 2009.]
