Nepal Appoints Sushila Karki as Interim PM After Deadly Youth Protests

Kathmandu, Nepal — In a historic political shift, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed as Nepal’s caretaker prime minister on Friday, stepping into leadership amid a violent national crisis that has shaken the Himalayan nation to its core.

Karki, 73, Nepal’s first female chief justice and widely regarded for her hardline stance against corruption, assumes power following the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli earlier this week. Oli’s government crumbled under the weight of nationwide protests led predominantly by young “Gen Z” activists enraged by government corruption and a crackdown on social media.

The unrest was triggered by the government’s abrupt ban on 26 major social media platforms— including Facebook, X, and YouTube—on September 4, officially due to regulatory noncompliance. However, it quickly became clear that the ban was perceived as an attempt to suppress political dissent, especially as it coincided with viral online criticism of nepotism and political elite privilege among the ruling class.

Mass demonstrations ignited on Monday and escalated rapidly. The initially peaceful rallies turned deadly when security forces opened fire on protesters, killing several. The violence sparked further chaos on Tuesday, as mobs burned and looted government offices throughout Kathmandu and other cities. Police confirmed that over 50 people lost their lives during the clashes, with hundreds injured and significant damage inflicted on key state institutions.

Under intense pressure and public outrage, Prime Minister Oli resigned on Tuesday, accepting responsibility for the bloodshed. The government swiftly lifted the social media ban, but the turbulence continued to grip the nation. The Nepalese army assumed control of the capital to maintain order, while President Ram Chandra Poudel engaged in negotiations with protest leaders and legal experts to form a transition government.

ADVERTISEMENT

In this context, the appointment of Karki is widely seen as a concerted effort to restore confidence and stability. Her record as chief justice from 2016 to 2017 was marked by fearless actions against corrupt officials, including surviving an impeachment attempt orchestrated by political rivals. Karki is viewed as a figure of judicial independence and integrity, trusted by the Gen Z protesters to guide the country through the crisis.

As caretaker prime minister, Karki is tasked with forming an interim cabinet and overseeing new general elections within six months. Her leadership symbolizes a tentative hope for Nepal’s young population, nearly half of whom belong to the Generation Z age group and who have spearheaded the movement demanding transparency, accountability, and an end to entrenched political nepotism.

The nation remains tense, but Karki’s elevation signals a pivotal moment as Nepal seeks to heal from its deadliest political unrest in decades and chart a path toward democratic renewal.