Nepal's former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country's interim prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government. Karki, 73, was sworn in during a brief ceremony, making history as the first woman to lead the impoverished Himalayan nation after a negotiation was reached with protest leaders.
The protests led to more than 50 deaths as clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police following a government's decision to ban 26 social media platforms. Although the ban was lifted shortly before the protests reached their peak, anger had already swelled among citizens, culminating in the storming of parliamentary buildings in Kathmandu.
Karki will oversee the formation of a new government and is tasked with conducting general elections within six months. Her appointment comes during a turbulent period for Nepal, where public dissatisfaction with political elites has boiled over into widespread unrest.
Karki is noted for her clean reputation and has garnered support from youth leaders during these upheavals. Prior to her leadership, she had faced controversy during her tenure as chief justice. The establishment of her leadership amid the protests emphasizes the urgency for political reform in Nepal as the nation copes with its worst unrest in decades.
The protests led to more than 50 deaths as clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police following a government's decision to ban 26 social media platforms. Although the ban was lifted shortly before the protests reached their peak, anger had already swelled among citizens, culminating in the storming of parliamentary buildings in Kathmandu.
Karki will oversee the formation of a new government and is tasked with conducting general elections within six months. Her appointment comes during a turbulent period for Nepal, where public dissatisfaction with political elites has boiled over into widespread unrest.
Karki is noted for her clean reputation and has garnered support from youth leaders during these upheavals. Prior to her leadership, she had faced controversy during her tenure as chief justice. The establishment of her leadership amid the protests emphasizes the urgency for political reform in Nepal as the nation copes with its worst unrest in decades.
