Nepal Appoints First Woman Interim Prime Minister Amid Anti-Corruption Protests
Nepal has appointed its first female Prime Minister, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, following a week of violent protests that resulted in at least 51 deaths. The appointment of the interim Prime Minister comes after the President dissolved the parliament and set March 5 for the country's elections.
Background and Context
Nepal has been rocked by deadly anti-corruption protests, which led to the resignation of the former Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, and the dissolution of the parliament. The protests, largely led by the country's Generation Z, demanded the departure of the corrupt elites and the establishment of a corruption-free future.
Key Developments
Sushila Karki, the 73-year-old former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, emerged as the most favored candidate to lead the interim government. She was backed by the Generation Z protesters in an online vote, beating several other candidates. Karki is widely known for her stance against corruption, and her appointment has brought calm to the streets.
In a statement, Karki promised to not remain in office for more than six months
and committed to meet the demands of Generation Z. She said, The immediate focus of the interim government would be to honor those who died in the protests and address the protesters’ demands, including tackling corruption.
Reactions and Implications
The appointment of Karki has been welcomed by many, including China, which hailed the time-honoured friendship
with Nepal and expressed readiness to work with Nepal to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
However, the major parties in Nepal have called for the reinstated parliament, suggesting there are differing views on the country's political direction. The situation remains tense, with over 12,500 prisoners still on the run following the unrest.
Current Status
The streets of Nepal have returned to calm as Sushila Karki took the oath of office and assumed her role as the interim Prime Minister. She is tasked with restoring order, public faith in the system, and holding free and fair elections, all while addressing the demands for an end to corruption. The world will be closely watching how the former Chief Justice navigates these challenging times and prepares the country for its elections in March.