Nepal Appoints First Female Interim Prime Minister Amidst Violent Protests Over Government Corruption and Social Media Ban
In a significant development, Nepal’s President appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the interim Prime Minister on Friday. Karki, a pioneer as the sole female chief justice of the Himalayan nation, assumes office following the collapse of the previous administration amidst escalating protests.
At a ceremony held at the presidential residence and broadcast on state-run television, Karki, aged 73, was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel. Politicians, officials, and foreign diplomats in attendance congratulated her on her historic appointment.
Known for her staunch stance against government corruption during her tenure, Karki had faced an impeachment attempt in April 2017, with lawmakers accusing her of bias. However, this move was unsuccessful and was criticized at the time as a potential attack on the judiciary.
The catalyst for these protests was a social media ban that began on Monday in Kathmandu, which quickly escalated into violent clashes between protesters and police. Although the ban has since been rescinded, unrest persisted due to broader grievances, with tens of thousands of protesters causing damage to the parliament, presidential residence, and businesses.
The ensuing violence led to Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s resignation on Tuesday and his subsequent departure from his official residence. The Nepalese army assumed control of the capital on Tuesday night, initiating negotiations among protesters, the army, and the President regarding an interim government.
Over the past week, at least 51 people have lost their lives as a result of this violence, with many protesters killed by police fire and some inmates attempting to escape from a prison in Kathmandu. Three police officers were also among the fatalities, according to reports.
Since late Tuesday, a curfew has been enforced in the capital, allowing residents limited hours to leave their homes for essentials like food and supplies, with soldiers patrolling the streets of Kathmandu.
Initially sparked by a brief ban on platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube, which the government claimed had failed to register and submit to oversight, these demonstrations soon became a platform for broader discontent. Young people have expressed anger over what they refer to as “nepo kids” – the privileged offspring of political leaders who enjoy luxurious lifestyles while many youth struggle to find employment.