Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki set to take oath as Prime Minister today
Kathmandu: Nepal’s former chief justice, Sushila Karki, will be sworn in as the country’s next prime minister on Friday, the president’s office announced following deadly protests that toppled the previous government.
“President Ram Chandra Paudel will appoint former chief justice Sushila Karki as the prime minister,” presidential press adviser Kiran Pokharel told AFP. He added that Karki’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 9:00 pm (1515 GMT).
The Reasons Behind Gen Z’s Protests and Their Endorsement of Sushila Karki
At 73, Karki made history as Nepal’s first woman chief justice and has been a vocal critic of the deep-rooted corruption plaguing the nation.
The Himalayan country, home to around 30 million people, was thrown into turmoil earlier this week when security forces attempted to suppress mass rallies led by young anti-corruption protesters. The unrest escalated into widespread violence on Tuesday—the deadliest since the end of Nepal’s civil war and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.
At least 51 people lost their lives in the violent clashes. The crisis culminated in the resignation of KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old leader of the Communist Party and the country’s former prime minister, whose current whereabouts remain unknown.
Military restores order amid talks with youth protesters
By Wednesday, the military had regained control of the streets, imposing a curfew. Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Paudel engaged in discussions with key political figures and representatives of “Gen Z”—the collective name for the youth protest movement.
Nimesh Shrestha, a member of the Gen Z protesters, confirmed to AFP that demonstrators support Karki’s appointment. “We have an agreement,” he said. “The parliament will be dissolved. Sushila Karki will be the prime minister.”
Next steps: Formation of new government
Pokharel also stated that “a council of ministers will be formed afterwards, and other necessary procedures will follow.”
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 9:00 pm (1515 GMT).
AFP inputs