A group of civil rights activists have expressed concerns over the growing foreign intervention in Nepal's internal affairs.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, members of the Citizens' Forum said that the unscrupulous horse-trading for government formation abetted by foreign intervention will only deliver more unaccountable and corrupt governance, depriving the Nepali public of the fruits of political stability, economic growth, inclusion and equity.
"The effort by one set of foreign governments to influence the formation of Nepal's executive leadership, overtly showing their support for one side, is bound to trigger reaction from the other direction. Nepal is thus in grave danger of becoming a geo-political football, " read the press statement.
The undersigned members also demanded that all neighbors and friendly countries follow the Panchsheel code in their dealings with Nepal, which includes the sacrosanct principle of non-intervention, overt or covert.
"Foreign intervention at any level is unacceptable even as Nepal strives to protect its historical neutrality shaped over the decades," read the statement. The statement, however, does not categorically point out which foreign country is currently meddling in the internal affairs of Nepal.
The statement comes at a time when Kathmandu-based ambassadors are seen running to the doorsteps of leaders ahead of the government formation. Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and American Ambassador Dean Thompson held behind-the-curtain meetings with top leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to inquire about the power equation in the post-election scenario.
Ambassador Srivastava met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at least twice while Ambassador Thompson met with the ruling party leaders including Prachanda at least once in the past two weeks.
Also, Indian intelligence agencies held clandestine talks with the top brass last week, apparently to shape the changing political dynamics in the post-election scenario.
In their statement today, the undersigned citizens "have wished to register their concern over the ongoing attempt to subvert the mandate of the parliamentary elections on 20 November 2022, in a way that would undermine the sovereignty of the people and representative democracy."
The civil rights activists also said that frequent meetings between leaders and diplomats have undermined the electorate.
"At a time when the sitting of Parliament and formation of government through due process and established norms should be the next step for the elected representatives, frequent meetings between our top leaders and foreign diplomats sends ominous signals that voting by the electorate is not decisive, " the statement said.
Even as the signed members expressed satisfaction over the recently-held elections, they have expressed concern over the tendency of leaders to cling to power.
"While we are satisfied with the regularity of local, provincial and parliamentary elections achieved under the 2015 Constitution, a weakening of democracy is ongoing on the part of the topmost leaders desperate to cling to the power they have exercised for decades on end. The obstinacy of the leadership is evident even as results of the local, provincial and parliamentary elections of 2022 constituted an unprecedented call of the new generation for accountable government," read the statement.
The undersigned members are namely Tirtha Man Shakya, former chief secretary, Kul Chandra Gautam, former assistant secretary general to the United Nations, Yubaraj Ghimire, senior journalist, Sushil Pyakurel, human rights activist, and Kanak Mani Dixit, senior journalist.
Citizens’ Statement on Election Mandate, Foreign Interest and Government Formation
We undersigned citizens wish to register our concern over the ongoing attempt to subvert the mandate of the parliamentary elections on 20 November 2022, in a way that would undermine the sovereignty of the people and representative democracy. At a time when the sitting of Parliament and formation of government through due process and established norms should be the next step for the elected representatives, frequent meetings between our top leaders and foreign diplomats sends ominous signals that voting by the electorate is not decisive.
While we are satisfied with the regularity of local, provincial and parliamentary elections achieved under the 2015 Constitution, a weakening of democracy is ongoing on the part of the topmost leaders desperate to cling to the power they have exercised for decades on end. The obstinacy of the leadership is evident even as results of the local, provincial and parliamentary elections of 2022 constituted an unprecedented call of the new generation for accountable government.
We are concerned that the unscrupulous horse-trading for government formation abetted by foreign intervention will only deliver more unaccountable and corrupt governance, depriving the Nepali public of the fruits of political stability, economic growth, inclusion and equity. Under such unprincipled leadership, the economy is sure to crumble, the departure of Nepali youth to overseas employment will continue, even as the nation-state is weakened geopolitically. The faith of the public in the state and Constitution will be eroded.
The fact that the electoral alliance of the Nepali Congress, Maoist Centre and others was not able to obtain a majority in Parliament indicates that this co-habitation of the ideologically divided parties was rejected by the voters. Further, a political party that has been sliding in every general election since 2008 should not be allowed to dictate terms to the largest party, and the country as a whole. For these reasons, we believe the Nepali Congress as the party with the largest number of MPs must seek to form government, approaching other democratic parties on common agenda outside the electoral alliance.
We call on the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, as the two parties which hold the overwhelming lead in Members present in Parliament, to remain in consultation so that unhealthy deal-making and external dictates do not hijack government formation. The two largest parties must develop common understanding on foreign relations, economic policy, social justice and constitutionalism, and the need to reject outside interference on domestic matters including government formation.
Unprincipled and unethical alliances hold the danger of weakening the state itself through inappropriate choice for the posts of President, Vice-President, Speaker and the heads and members of constitutional bodies. Such appointments will have long-term impact on constitutionalism and democracy itself. We also protest the reported suggestion to share the prime-ministerial position between two and even three individuals over five years. At this crucial juncture before the formation of government, we appeal to the President to act as conscience-keeper and not allow the country to be ruled in the interim by ordinances brought by a caretaker government.
The effort by one set of foreign governments to influence the formation of Nepal’s executive leadership, overtly showing their support for one side, is bound to trigger reaction from the other direction. Nepal is thus in grave danger of becoming a geo-political football. We demand all neighbours and friendly countries follow the Panchsheel code in their dealings with Nepal, which includes the sacrosanct principle of non-intervention, overt or covert. Foreign intervention at any level is unacceptable even as Nepal strives to protect its historical neutrality shaped over the decades.
14 December 2022, Kathmandu
