Memorandum of Understanding Signed by 3 Major Parties

The UCPN(M), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding.  It is not currently available in an official English translation, but roughly the MOU is based on three points:

1. The parties signing the MOU will show a mutual commitment to a joint action for a meaningful conclusion of the peace deal and  peace process.
2. The parties agree to add one more year to the term of the Constituent Assembly in order to write the new Constitution for Nepal.
3. The Prime Minister of the coalition government shows promptness for an immediate resignation in order to pave the way for a consensus government based on the above-said promises.

There are already signs that the government is not committed to the spirit of the MOU.  The government is interpreting the MOU for its own interests by asking the Maoists to work on No.1 and 2 before the PM applies No.3 and resigns. The government has also decided to hire about 9,000 soldiers despite the peace deal restrictions that bar either army (both the old Royal Army and Maoists' Peoples' Liberation Army) from recruiting additional soldiers.