UN welcomes Maoist statement on aid and development

The United Nations office in Nepal has welcomed a statement made by Maoist rebels on Thursday that they would cooperate with the UN and bilateral donor agencies and adhere to the their Basic Operating Guidelines (BOGs) for aid and development work. The Maoists have been waging an armed rebellion against the government for the past nine years but declared a ceasefire in September and recently formed an alliance with political parties to remove the monarchy. “We appreciate in principle the BOGs of the UN and other development agencies and representatives operating in Nepal,” Maoist leader Prachanda, said. He added that he had instructed all Maoist cadres and their local leaders throughout the Himalayan kingdom to cooperate to observe the guidelines. BOGs provide a framework of good practice for development programmes and emphasise that the agencies have the right to suspend or terminate their programmes in the absence of a safe working environment. “Adherence to the BOGs by both the government and the Maoists will enable the international community to more effectively implement development and humanitarian initiatives in conflict-affected areas,” said Mathew Kahane, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal. This is the first time that the Maoists have made an official statement about respecting the spirit and letter of the BOGs. Although rebel leaders have often been quoted in local media as saying the insurgents would not stand in the way of humanitarian work and development projects, aid workers and agencies had often reported incidents of harassment and abduction of their staff by the Maoists. Prachanda also encouraged an expansion of development programmes into areas under rebel control. “We also appeal to the international community and development agencies to work in regular consultation and cooperation with our party and new people’s representations at the central and local level to execute development programmes,” he said.