Nepal’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Friday as the presidential office announced that former chief justice Sushila Karki will be sworn in later in the evening as the country’s new prime minister, following a wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations.
“President Ram Chandra Paudel will appoint former chief justice Sushila Karki as the prime minister,” presidential press adviser Kiran Pokharel confirmed in a statement. “Karki is scheduled to be sworn in as prime minister at 9:00 pm (1515 GMT).”
At 73, Karki carries the distinction of being Nepal’s first female chief justice. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal critic of entrenched corruption, earning respect among reform-minded citizens.
The Himalayan nation of about 30 million people was thrown into turmoil this week after security forces attempted to clamp down on large-scale anti-corruption rallies led mainly by young demonstrators. The crackdown escalated into violent clashes on Tuesday, leaving at least 51 people dead in the worst unrest since Nepal’s civil war ended and the monarchy was abolished in 2008.
The unrest forced the resignation of KP Sharma Oli, also 73 and leader of the Communist Party, who stepped down as prime minister on Tuesday. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
In the wake of the violence, the military reasserted control over the streets on Wednesday, imposing a curfew. Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Paudel subsequently held high-level discussions with political stakeholders and representatives of “Gen Z,” the loosely organized youth protest movement behind the demonstrations.
Nimesh Shrestha, a member of the Gen Z movement, told AFP that protesters had reached a deal with the authorities. “We have an agreement,” he said. “The parliament will be dissolved. Sushila Karki will be the prime minister.”
According to Pokharel from the president’s office, “a council of ministers will be formed after, and other processes will be taken from there,” signaling the start of a new political arrangement under Karki’s leadership.
What you should know
Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman chief justice, is stepping into leadership at a time of national crisis following protests that left 51 people dead.
Known for her outspoken stance against corruption, her appointment as prime minister marks both a historic and turbulent chapter in Nepal’s politics.
Her rise comes after the resignation of KP Sharma Oli and amid promises to dissolve parliament under pressure from a youth-led movement demanding reform.
