Nepal Names Former Chief Justice Sushila as PM

AFP/APP

Kathmandu: Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki has been appointed as the country’s next prime minister to lead a transitional government after days of violent protests forced the resignation of KP Sharma Oli.

Karki, 73, who made history as Nepal’s first woman chief justice, will be sworn in later on Friday, the president’s office confirmed.

“President Ram Chandra Paudel will appoint former chief justice Sushila Karki as the prime minister,” presidential press adviser Kiran Pokharel told AFP, adding that a swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for 9:00 pm (1515 GMT). A new council of ministers will be formed following the ceremony.

The Himalayan nation of 30 million was plunged into crisis this week after security forces attempted to crush rallies led by young anti-corruption protesters, resulting in Nepal’s worst unrest since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. At least 51 people were killed, including 21 protesters, during clashes earlier in the week.Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old leader of the Communist Party, resigned on Tuesday and has not been seen publicly since.

The protests, organized under the banner of the youth-driven “Gen Z” movement, erupted in response to widespread corruption and poor governance and were further fueled by a controversial ban on social media platforms. Demonstrations escalated into riots, with parliament, government buildings, and a Hilton Hotel set ablaze.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/death-toll-from-nepal-protest-violence-rises-to-51-police/

Amid the chaos, more than 12,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country, and police say they remain at large. Authorities reported that over 100 looted firearms have since been recovered. Soldiers have been patrolling the streets of Kathmandu for a third consecutive day, enforcing a curfew to restore order.

Despite the turmoil, youth protesters expressed cautious optimism following Karki’s appointment. “It is a moment of victory… finally the power vacuum has ended,” said Amrita Ban, a demonstrator. Another protester, Nimesh Shrestha, told AFP: “We have an agreement. The parliament will be dissolved. Sushila Karki will be the prime minister.”

Karki’s leadership comes at a time of mounting economic challenges. According to the World Bank, one in five Nepalis aged 15 to 24 is unemployed, while GDP per capita remains at just $1,447.

For ordinary residents of Kathmandu, the unrest has brought days of fear and hardship. “I was very afraid and stayed locked inside my home with my family,” said Naveen Kumar Das, a painter-decorator. With a brief lifting of the curfew on Friday, residents rushed to food shops, pharmacies, and fuel stations to replenish supplies.

Many Nepalis now hope the political shift will bring lasting change. “We started this movement so we could make a better Nepal,” said 24-year-old protester James Karki.