Reintegration of child soldiers in Nepal: Grassroots reflections

Abstract

Peace came to Nepal on 21 November 2006 when the government and the Maoist rebels signed a monumental and comprehensive peace agreement, which included stipulations to merge and form an interim government. Both the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) agreed to an arms management pact, locking their weapons up under United Nations (UN) surveillance (HRW, 2007, p. 3). Elections for the Constituent Assembly, drafting a new constitution, socio-economic reform, security sector reform, democratization of the RNA, management of arms and army that includes the integration and reintegration of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and a coalition government including major political parties are some of the major components of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The peace was fragile, as everyone waited with baited breath for the political actions to be moved forward. The elections were postponed twice, but finally on 10 April 2008, the people of Nepal voted to elect representatives to a Constituent Assembly. An overwhelming majority went to the CPN-M. The assembly was tasked with writing a new constitution and deciding the role of the monarchy.