DEC 24 - The history of the world may be characterised as the history of war, conflict and search for peace. The League of Nations was created after the end of the First World War and the United Nations was created after the end of Second World War on October 24, 1945. Nepal has been one of the active members of the UN since her membership on December 14, 1955. The UN is a common forum for all the 193 member states, and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operation has been conducting various Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs). Although it is not mentioned in the UN Charter, peacekeeping has become a major tool for international peace and security. It’s a programme that was developed by the UN to help control and resolve armed conflicts through Security Council Resolutions.
Most of the traditional types of PKOs were established during the Cold War period. After the end of Cold War, intra-state conflicts increased. Complex and multidimensional PKOs are now conducted by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. There are many success stories as well as failures of the UN in PKOs in many missions. The Nepal Army is facing tough competition in obtaining a role in PKOs.
Some nations have raised the questions of reforming the Security Council as well as the UN. The Main challenges of the UN are budget, effectiveness and the political interest of powerful nations. To overcome the new challenges, many panels and reports are prepared. As suggested in the Brahimi report, the UN Standby Arrangement System has become quite effective. Out of the six top troop-contributing countries, four troop-contributing countries are from the Saarc region. Nepal is the sixth largest troop contributing country in the world. Nepal was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 1969-1970 and 1988-1989.
Nepal Army is one of the oldest institutions in Nepal. It has played several roles in its history. The role of the Nepal Army in the United nations Peacekeeping Operation (UNPKO) is one. According to the Interim Constitution 2063 BS (2007) and Military Act 2063 BS (2006), supporting the national policy through international peace operations is one of the main secondary roles of Nepal Army. The Army has been working with diplomats, civil servants, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force in various UNPKOs.
After the UN’s request for PKOs, considering their nature, Nepal has committed 5,000 peacekeepers for UN Standby Arrangement System. On the basis of Nepal Army’s strength, Nepal Government signs the Memorandum of Understanding with the UN. Nepal Army selects the troops according to its selection procedure and provides them pre-deployment training in the training centre, Panchkhal established in 1986 (Named as Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in 2001).
Nepal Army’s participation in the UNPKO has extended across a period of 53 years (1958-2011) in 37 UNPKOs with over 87,000 troops, Nepal Army personnel including four Force Commanders, one Assistance Military Adviser to Secretary General and more than 200 females. Currently some 4,000 troops are participating in thirteen various PKOs. 58 Nepal Army personnel have laid their lives and 58 were injured in various PKOs in the past.
Now PKOs have become more ambitious and expensive. The challenges of Nepal Army in UNPKOs are logistics and financial sustainability. The main advantages of participating UNPKOs are: image and recognition of Nepal in international arena, economic benefits morale and motivation of the troops as there are a few disadvantages like fatal diseases and death.
Nepal Army has contributed to implement Nepal’s foreign policy. It has become professionally stronger due to the participation in 36 UNPKOs along with training in modern weapons, equipments and modern values. Participation in UNPKO is becoming one of the major sources of foreign currency for the country as well.
Tamang has a PhD on “The Role of Nepal Army in the UN Peacekeeping Operations 1958-2009”
ashabt@hotmail.com
Posted on: 2011-12-25 09:36
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