Nepal appoints Sushila Karki as first female executive head
Three days after hectic negotiations, former chief justice Sushila Karki was appointed the country’s 42th prime minister on Friday. She has been entrusted with holding the elections by March 4, 2026. The Kathmandu Post
Latest developments: interim prime minister says she will hand over power within six months
Karki is a former Supreme Court chief justice and the first woman to lead Nepal.
“I did not wish for this job. It was after voices from the streets that I was compelled to accept,” Sushila Karki said, speaking for the first time since being sworn into office on Friday. She said she would hand over to the new government which will emerge after elections on 5 March next year. BBC
Casualties and security situation
The death toll from the unrest has now reached 72, including three police personnel, officials say. BBC
Three days after hectic negotiations, the outgoing prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned on Monday following the unrest in Kathmandu and across Nepal that left 51 persons dead and caused destruction of private and public properties worth trillions of rupees. The anti-corruption protests called by Gen Z youths, who were inflamed by a social media ban, culminated with the inauguration of a new political dispensation in the country. The Kathmandu Post
Interim cabinet and election timeline
Before the oath, Dipak Kafle, secretary at the President’s Office, said Karki had been given the responsibility of holding elections within six months. As per Article 61 (4) of the Constitution, the President has appointed Karki as the prime minister of the interim government. The Kathmandu Post
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expanded her interim cabinet since taking office, adding ministers with reformist and professional backgrounds as the government prepares for elections. The Kathmandu Post BBC
Travel advisory and international reaction
Reconsider travel to Nepal due to civil unrest. Large protests and significant demonstrations in Nepal on September 8-9, 2025, turned violent. These events caused deaths and injuries. Local authorities have declared curfews in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Additional protests and curfews could happen with little warning. Follow local authorities’ instructions. Stay away from areas with protests, unrest, or large gatherings. U.S. Department of State
The Kathmandu-based international community welcomed the new prime minister, with statements noting the appointment as a step toward stability and transition after tragic events. The Kathmandu Post
Background: social media ban, Gen Z protests and fallout
The mass protests, sparked by a ban on social media platforms, started on 8 September and over the course of two days descended into chaos and violence during which politicians’ homes were vandalised and parliament was set on fire. BBC
The government had suspended or blocked access to 26 social media platforms; the ban and related Supreme Court and government actions sparked widespread public outrage and the Gen Z movement’s street demonstrations. The Kathmandu Post
Accountability and probes
Authorities and the interim government have indicated steps toward investigation and accountability for the violence; search teams and official counts of casualties have been reported while calls for probes into the unrest and security responses continue. BBC The Kathmandu Post
Share Your Thoughts
- What impact do you think the interim government led by Sushila Karki will have on Nepal’s transition to elections?
- How should domestic and international actors support a peaceful, constitutional process?
- What measures would you prioritize to rebuild public trust after the unrest?
- How can travel and tourism stakeholders respond to ongoing safety advisories?
- What lessons should Nepal and other countries draw from youth-led movements and social media policy conflicts?