Christian Ministry Concerned Over Political Turmoil in Nepal
A Christian missionary organization aiding hundreds of churches in the Nepal has expressed concern over the political turmoil in the strife-torn Himalayan country.
"Nepal needs an absolute miracle," said Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan after thousands of Maoist demonstrators took to the streets in Kathmandu.
The political crisis began on Sunday after the Maoist government fired the army chief, General Rokkmangud Katawal, for refusing to permit 19,000 former Maoist rebel soldiers into the army.
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It further deepened with the resignation of Nepal's first Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Monday, after an altercation with coalition partners and President Ram Baran Yadav.
Countries across the world have also expressed serious concern over the possible negative impact the power struggle can have on the peace process with Maoists, who laid down their arms before winning an election last year.
Maoists (Communist Party of Nepal) had fought against the government in a 10-year civil war that ended in 2006 with a peace agreement.
"Right now we have a high emergency, but what is worse is that things could go back to the guerilla warfare that we had for the past 10 years," Yohannan said.
The GFA organization expressed concern on behalf of the 300 churches and two Bible colleges that the ministry supports in the predominantly Hindu nation.
Urging Christians to pray over the situation, Yohannan said, "We are terribly concerned about the future of Nepal and we ask that Christians around the world pray for this volatile situation."
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said he was "saddened" by the current political developments in the Hindu nation. A special session of the United Nations Security Council is being held Tuesday.
"The Secretary-General reiterates his call for restraint and political consensus," according to a statement issued by the office of his spokesperson.
Nepal's political parties held crisis talks Tuesday to form a new coalition government.
