Nepal’s former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been appointed as the interim prime minister following a wave of anti-corruption protests that led to the ousting of the previous government. Karki, who is 73 years old, was sworn in during a short ceremony, marking her as the first woman to lead the nation. This transition follows violent protests that resulted in over 50 fatalities due to confrontations between demonstrators and police.
The unrest began in response to a government decision to ban access to 26 social media platforms, including popular sites such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Although the ban was revoked on Monday, public dissent had already escalated into a larger movement, culminating in significant property damage, including fires set to government buildings in Kathmandu, which prompted the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The agreement that led to Karki’s appointment was reached through negotiations involving the president, protest leaders, and legal experts, following several days of discussions. Parliament was dissolved shortly thereafter, with general elections scheduled for March 5 of the next year. Karki is expected to form her cabinet soon.
Her administration faces several critical challenges, including restoring security, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and addressing the grievances of the youth, particularly the Gen Z activists who have rallied for change. Another pressing issue will be to ensure accountability for the violence that occurred during the protests.
Karki has a notable background within Nepal’s political landscape, having familial connections to prominent political figures and a history that includes a prior impeachment incident during her tenure as chief justice. The country remains under the watch of military patrols as it deals with the fallout from these significant civil disturbances.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c179qne0zw0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss