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Impoverished Nepal entered a new era after Maoist rebels and the government signed a peace deal ending more than a decade of civil war that has claimed at least 12,500 lives.
Applause erupted from hundreds of politicians, diplomats and journalists as Maoist leader Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala signed off on an accord late Tuesday that formally brings the rebels out of the hills and jungles and into the political mainstream.
“This moment marks the end of the 238-year-old feudal system, and it also marks the end of 11 years of civil war,” declared Prachanda, a 52-year-old teacher-turned-revolutionary.
“Our party will work with new responsibility and new vigour to make a new Nepal,” promised the rebel leader, whose chosen name means “the fierce one” and whose fighters control large swathes of the kingdom.
Koirala said Nepal, one of the ten poorest countries on earth, had “entered into a new era”.
“The agreement has ended the politics of killings, violence and terror and started the politics of cooperation,” the 85-year-old premier said.
“I would like to thank Prachanda for finding a peaceful solution. Nepal has entered into a new era and it has opened the door for peace.
“Now we need to meet together in cooperation and understanding to make sure this agreement is fully implemented.”
Under the deal, the rebels are to end their “people's war” aimed at overthrowing the monarchy by force, join an interim government and enter parliament.
They must also place their arms and their troops under UN monitoring, and will face mounting pressure to put an end to alleged forced recruitment, including of child soldiers, extortion and political assassinations.
The United Nations hailed the deal and called on both sides to move quickly on arms issues.
Once deadly foes, the multi-party government and Maoist rebels have observed a ceasefire for more than six months after they cooperated in April to organise mass protests that forced King Gyanendra to restore parliament and end dictatorial rule.
The deal leaves the king facing an uncertain future, with the fiercely anti-royal rebels vowing they will continue to campaign — albeit peacefully — until the 238-year-old monarchy is consigned to the history books.
Some of the parties in the coalition, however, favour a ceremonial role for the king, who is revered by many as a Hindu deity.
His future is set to be decided after elections next year for a body that will rewrite the constitution.
But Kanak Mani Dixit, the managing editor of the widely respected Himal South Asia monthly, said Gyanendra was now completely sidelined.
“He is a non entity now. He is the most humiliated man in Asia,” said Dixit, who joined a cheery candlelit celebration of the deal in the otherwise quiet capital.
“This is the real thing, not a false dawn. The people's war is finally over.”
The agreement was signed at the Birendra International Convention Centre, named after the previous king assassinated by crown prince Dipendra in 2001 in a drug and alcohol-fuelled palace massacre.
Dipendra then committed suicide paving the way for Gyanendra to assume the throne. He gathered increasing control over the government and the army before declaring absolute rule on February 1, 2005.
Tuesday's deal placed incredible pressure on the rebels and government to deliver, said Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of Nepali magazine Samaya (Time).
“Any deviation from this peace on the part of those who signed it would not only be dishonesty but it would constitute a crime that no Nepali would ever forgive.”
Nepal's giant southern neighbour India also warned of failing to meet expectations.
“We call upon all sides and all stakeholders in Nepal to strictly abide by their commitments under the agreement… The people's mandate and their trust must not be betrayed,” an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said.
Praising the deal, Britain called on Nepal to work to make it a reality.
“We now look to both sides to make the agreement a reality throughout Nepal. Specifically, the UK again urges both the Government of Nepal and the Maoists to respect and uphold the rule of law,” Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said.
