KATHMANDU: After the Jana Andolan II the issue of democratisation of Nepali Army came into the forefront of politics. Nepali Army remained loyal to monarchy for more than 240 years. It has been practising democratic norms and values after Nepal turned republic.

Mainly, UCPN-Maoist raised this issue stating that democratisation of NA was essential

to make it loyal to the civilian government. In other words, it can be called democratic control of NA. Maoists have been claiming that NA is yet to be democratised and brought to the civilian control.

This issue came to the

limelight when Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned from the post of Prime Minister last May stating that civilian supremacy over the army was a must. Maoists have been protesting to demand civilian supremacy for the last nine months.

At present there is a debate at intellectual level about making the NA democratic.

Both the interim constitution of Nepal and Comprehensive Peace Agreement have the provisions of democratisation of NA. However, this issue has relegated to the back seat because both the government and parties are giving it less priority.

However, government formed a ministerial level task force

and it has been entrusted to prepare detailed work plan to democratise the NA.

Interim constitution and Military Act has mandated the government to mobilise Nepal Army on the recommendations of National Security Council. Such decision should be placed before the Special Security Committee of the parliament for its approval within 30 days.

Former Lt General of Nepal Army CB Gurung reasoned that there were mechanisms but were not functional and effective. He said, “As far as the democratic control of NA is concerned we have some mechanism for that purpose but that the same was not functioning effectively and political

leadership was blaming the army for its undemocratic character. We talk about democratisation, but managing the army at the transition phase was sensitive and political leaders should understand that.”

Defence minister, National Security Council and certain provisions of Military Act

can help government

exercise democratic control, Gurung added.

Kul Chandra Gautam, former Assistant Secretary General of United Nations showed many ways to ensure democratic control of Nepal Army and other security forces in Nepal.

According to Gautam, parliamentary oversight and approval of national security policy is necessary to democratise the NA. He said, “Nepal lacks a broad national security policy as well as effective policy making mechanism. A small expert task force should be formed, under the auspices of the recently formed ministerial-level committee for democratising NA to draft an initial concept paper on the national security and policy making structure.”

Gautam reasoned that establishment of a proper and effective Ministry of Defence was must to maintain democratic control of NA. He said, “Modern Nepal never had a functioning Ministry of Defence. Until

mid-2006, knowledgeable analysts dubbed MoD a powerless post box for army, with real powers and responsibilities of ministry vested in and exercised by the principal secretariat at the Royal Palace.”

Other ways to maintain

democratic control, according to Gautam, include establishment of effective National

Security Council, respect

for human rights and human security, rightsizing of Nepali Army and redefining major tasks of the army.

Maoist leader Barsa Man Pun Ananta said democratisation

of NA was related to the

restructuring of the state. He said, “We should first democratise the country rather than making NA democratic.”

Defence Secretary Nabin Ghimire said they were making efforts to democraticise the NA and restructure the Ministry of Defence to make it more effective. He said recently formed ministerial committee would prepare a concept paper on the democratisation of NA, to draft national security policy and materialise security sector reforms.

He added that it was necessary to revamp National Security Council and restructure defence ministry. He said, “We have to accept that Ministry of Defence was the smallest ministry of Nepal and is running with 29 staffers. We have formed another task force to restructure the defence ministry.”

Experts opine that civilian government should make the mechanism effective and strong to control and democratise NA rather than blaming army being non-functional. If there are sufficient and clear acts, regulations and mechanism it would not be hard to democratise NA. Mainly, after the Jana Andolan-II we witnessed bitter relationship between the government and military mainly due to the vague and unclear regulations.