In the elections back in April, Nepal’s Maoists had come into power. Before then, the Maoists were considered a rebel group on the United States’ terrorist watch group list. As the Maoists have taken power of Nepal’s government, they have no longer been listed as a rebel or a terrorist group.
Now, Nancy Powell, the US ambassador to Nepal has met with Puspha Kamal Dahal who also goes by the name Prachanda. Pranchanda is the leader of the Maoists. Pranchanda wants to take Nepal’s presidency and replace the current head of state King Gyanendra.
The aim of Pranchanda and his group is to end Nepal’s current government, which is a monarch. Currently, Nepal’s government is ruled by King Gyanendra. Gyanendra has been urged to step down from office.
Despite getting into power and establishing relations with the United States, Nepal’s Maoists have a long road ahead of them. Pranchanda faces many difficult problems that loom over him and the rest of the Maoists.
They along with Nepal’s military have been accused of abuses of human rights within the past decade. Due to that, the Maoists do not have the trust of the other parties in Nepal’s government. Its younger members have been accused of using tactics of intimidating others.
They are also opposed by Nepal’s military. So far, they are very much against working alongside the Maoist rebels.
These are just at the top of the list of problems that Nepal’s Maoists face. Pranchanda must face and deal with these damaging problems if he wishes to become Nepal’s president.
On a side note, Nepal is set to be a location for the Olympic Torch relay. It is unknown how Nepal’s relations with China will be affected since the Maoists have come into power. So far, Nepal is a close ally with China.
Nepal has been one of many places where Tibetan exiles have protested against China’s crackdown of Tibet.
So far, the Olympic Torch relay is concentrated towards Mouth Everest. Nepal’s government has threatened that police and military will result to using live ammunition if people do protest on Mouth Everest.
The issue of Tibet-China relations could be another thing Prachanda and the Maoists may have to deal with in the future. So far Nepal depends on China for diplomatic support and foreign aid. Relations with China will inevitably be something Pranchanda and his party must deal with if he wishes to be president of Nepal.