Sushila Karki assumes interim leadership of Nepal amid crisis
In a historic move for Nepal, Sushila Karki, former chief justice of the Court , will be sworn in this Friday as interim leader becoming the first woman to hold the country's highest political office . Her appointment follows the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli , forced by a wave of anti -corruption protests that left 51 dead and more than 1,300 injured.
President Ramchandra Paudel confirmed the appointment after intense negotiations with Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel and representatives of the "Gen Z movement , a predominantly young group that spearheaded the largest uprising in years . The crisis erupted a temporary ban on social media sparked public outrage.
Karki, 73 , will be sworn in at 9:15 p.m. local time along with two new ministers. Recognized for her integrity and firm stance against corruption , she was the protesters ' preferred candidate . In 2016, she became the first woman to head the Supreme Court , a position she held until mid- 2017 .
Nepal tries to regain calm after protests
Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008 , Nepal has faced political and economic instability . Unemployment forces millions of citizens to seek work abroad , sending remittances that support many families .
This Friday, the streets of Kathmandu began to regain their rhythm: shops were open, traffic was restored , and security forces were carrying batons instead of firearms . However , some roads remain blocked , and social tensions remain simmering .
Stories of the victims of the uprising
Among the dead was a 23 - year-old man who decided to continue the protest after his friends left . His aunt , Karuna Budhathoki , said he was found dead at the hospital .
Another victim, Ashab Alam Thakurai, 24, had been married just a month earlier . According to his family, he was caught in the middle of the protest and found in the morgue hours later.
