Nepal’s major parties should cooperate in a coalition government led by the Maoists, who won the April Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, to help the world’s newest republic avoid political instability. The International Crisis Group today released companion reports: Nepal’s Election: a Peaceful Revolution?, an extensive analysis of the 10 April vote, and Nepal’s New Political Landscape, which examines the major challenges remaining in a peace process that has made considerable progress but is still incomplete. The way in which political leaders cope with the election aftermath will determine whether the remarkable result delivers peace and change or further conflict.

Nepal’s major parties should cooperate in a coalition government led by the Maoists, who won the April Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, to help the world’s newest republic avoid political instability. The International Crisis Group today released companion reports: Nepal’s Election: a Peaceful Revolution?, an extensive analysis of the 10 April vote, and Nepal’s New Political Landscape, which examines the major challenges remaining in a peace process that has made considerable progress but is still incomplete. The way in which political leaders cope with the election aftermath will determine whether the remarkable result delivers peace and change or further conflict.

The international community must encourage reform tendencies in Guinea-Bissau to counter the risk of the West African country becoming a narco-state and political no-man’s land of interest to Maghreb criminal and terrorist networks. Despite 35 years of institutional incapacity, a chance exists for democratic reforms thanks to the signing of a Stability Pact by the three most important political parties. Fundamental changes are required to the way the country is run. Above all, army reform is needed to free the political system from military interference. Foreign partners must galvanise their efforts and seize what appears to be a genuine opportunity.

Five actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated in June 2008. In Zimbabwe, state violence escalated ahead of the 27 June presidential run-off vote, as the Mugabe regime continued its brutal crackdown to secure victory. Uganda's peace process further broke down amid reports of fresh LRA attacks. Insecurity surged in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, as progress on the much-delayed peace summit faltered. The situation also deteriorated in Djibouti/Eritrea and Chad. June saw improvements in North Korea, where the government submitted a long-awaited declaration of its nuclear programs, and in Serbia and the Taiwan Strait.

President Lee’s conservative Grand National Party, which won the April legislative elections, has had a difficult start to implementing its policy agenda, with widespread street demonstrations and an opposition legislative boycott. The GNP seeks to improve strained relations with the U.S. and coordination with allies in confronting North Korea’s nuclear program, as well as push for domestic deregulation, privatisation, tax cuts and a more business friendly environment. While these measures will be mostly welcomed abroad, there will be losers in South Korea, who have shown their potential for disruption. For the agenda to succeed, Lee will need to show more willingness to seek consensus.