Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister resigns over President's resistance to sacking army chief

Article published on the 2009-05-04 Latest update 2009-05-05 14:35 TU

Nepal's Prime Minister Prachanda announces his resignation from his office, Kathmandu, 4 May, 2009.
Photo: REUTERS/Deepa Shrestha

Nepal's Prime Minister Prachanda announced on television on Monday that he's resigned after his move to sack the chief of the army fell flat. The government dismissed the head of the armed forces after he refused to integrate former rebels into the ranks.

Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Nepal's Prime Minister Prachanda said, "I have resigned from the post of Prime Minister from today, for the protection of democracy and peace."

Nepal's Maoist government fired General Rookmangud Katawal, but Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav, a member of the main opposition party, told the head of the army to stay put. 

Prachandra and his Maoist party members wanted said they wanted the General out because of his refusal to integrate former Maoist rebel soldiers into the regular army under the terms of a 2006 peace deal.

That deal brought an end to a 10-year-old uprising as well as the end of Nepal's 240-year old monarchy. Elections in 2008 brought the Maoists to power with a promise to renounce violence and embrace multi-party democracy.

Political commentator, C.K. Lal in Kathmandu, told RFI that "the remaining parties cannot form a majority, even as a coalition."

The former rebel leader has been Prime Minister of Nepal for eight months. His resignation follows months of worsening tensions between the former rebels, and those who were their foes in the military.

C.K. Lal says that the Maoists wanted their own choice of general to take over. "As second in command, he would have to take his retirement in two months time, but as the top man, he could continue for another three years."

The army views the Maoists' 19,000 fighters, as being politically indoctrinated. They are currently confined to UN-supervised camps.

Supporters of the Prime Minister marched in protest on Monday in the capital, Kathmandu, at the President's decision.

On France 24 TV  Prime minister resigns over army chief's firing