In a historic move, Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel has appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s interim prime minister, making her the first woman to ever lead the Himalayan nation’s government.
The decision came after weeks of violent protests that forced the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The unrest, initially sparked by a social media ban, escalated into nationwide demonstrations against corruption and political nepotism. The situation worsened when police firing left 19 protesters dead, prompting Oli to step down and the Army to take control of the capital.
At 73, Karki brings both experience and integrity to the role. She previously served as Nepal’s only female chief justice from 2016 to 2017 and is widely respected for her strong stance against corruption. During her tenure, she even survived an attempted impeachment in 2017, which was seen as a politically motivated attack on judicial independence.
Despite the lifting of the social media ban, protests continued, fueled by public anger at the lavish lifestyles of political leaders’ children, often referred to as “nepo kids,” while ordinary citizens struggled with unemployment and poverty. The violence left 51 people dead, including protesters, three police officers, and several inmates killed during a jailbreak attempt in Kathmandu.
With the Army enforcing a strict curfew, Karki’s appointment is seen as a crucial step toward restoring stability and negotiating peace with the protestors. Her leadership will be closely watched as Nepal navigates this period of political turmoil and public distrust.