On September 12, 2025, Nepal marked a historic turning point as Sushila Karki, a former Supreme Court chief justice, was sworn in as the country’s interim prime minister. This appointment, the first of a woman to Nepal’s highest executive office, comes in the wake of a week of deadly unrest that has shaken the Himalayan nation to its core and toppled the previous government.
Karki’s rise to the premiership was anything but routine. The past week saw Nepal plunged into chaos as youth-led protests, initially sparked by a government ban on 26 social media platforms—including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook—erupted across the country. According to BBC, the ban, which was quickly rescinded, had already ignited deep-seated frustrations among the country’s young population. These protests, dubbed the “Gen Z protest,” soon swelled into a mass movement fueled by anger over corruption, nepotism, and what many saw as the political elite’s disregard for ordinary citizens.
The situation escalated rapidly. Security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in at least 51 deaths, according to police cited by NPR. Many of the dead were protesters, but some were inmates killed during jailbreaks as the unrest spread, and at least three police officers also lost their lives. Protesters stormed and set fire to key institutions, including the parliament, Supreme Court, government offices, and political party headquarters. Even a Hilton Hotel and media outlets were not spared. The violence was the worst Nepal had seen since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, as reported by FRANCE 24.
Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and, according to France 24, his whereabouts remain unknown. The army, led by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, moved swiftly to restore order, imposing curfews, deploying troops across Kathmandu, and assuming control of national security. For many residents, life was upended. “I was very afraid, and stayed locked inside my home with family and didn’t leave,” said Naveen Kumar Das, a resident of Kathmandu, echoing the anxiety felt by countless others.
The unrest was not limited to the capital. Jailbreaks occurred across the country, with more than 12,500 prisoners escaping and many still at large, according to police spokesman Binod Ghimire speaking to AFP. The army also recovered over 100 looted firearms in the aftermath of the violence. Curfew restrictions were briefly lifted only to allow residents to buy essentials, as soldiers continued to patrol the streets.
Amid this backdrop, Sushila Karki emerged as the consensus candidate for interim leader. Her appointment was the result of intense negotiations involving President Ram Chandra Poudel, the army chief, and representatives of the Gen Z protest movement. Thousands of young activists, using platforms like Discord, debated their preferred leader and ultimately rallied around Karki, known for her independence and anti-corruption credentials from her tenure as chief justice between 2016 and 2017.
In a ceremony at the presidential residence, broadcast on state television and attended by youth representatives, officials, and foreign diplomats, President Poudel administered the oath of office. “I, Sushila Karki... take an oath in the name of the country and the people to fulfil my duty as the prime minister,” she declared. Poudel congratulated her, saying, “Congratulations! We wish you success, wish the country success.”
The United Nations and its agencies were quick to express support. “At this pivotal moment, the United Nations stands alongside the people of Nepal in their aspirations for peace, justice, transparency, accountability and progress,” said Hanna Singer Hamdy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal. UNICEF called Karki’s appointment “an inspiration for girls and women,” while UNDP, UN Women, and UNFPA all emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, gender equality, and the protection of women and youth as Nepal charts its path forward.
Karki’s government faces daunting challenges. She has been tasked with organizing fresh elections within six months, with the date set for March 5, 2026, following the dissolution of parliament. Her immediate priorities include restoring law and order, reconstructing damaged institutions, and reassuring both the protest movement and a wary public that Nepal’s fragile democracy will endure. Bringing those responsible for violence to justice is also high on her agenda, as is addressing the economic malaise that has fueled much of the discontent—unemployment among 15-24 year olds stands at 20%, and GDP per capita is just $1,447, according to World Bank figures cited by France 24.
Karki’s personal journey is deeply intertwined with Nepal’s political history. Born into a family with ties to the Koirala political dynasty, she later married Durga Subedi, a leader of the Nepali Congress. She credits her husband’s support as instrumental in her rise from lawyer to chief justice. Her tenure as chief justice was not without controversy; she faced an impeachment attempt in 2017, which was widely criticized as an attack on judicial independence. Still, she is widely regarded as a figure of integrity and a symbol of hope for many, especially the young activists who see her as the embodiment of the change they demand.
On Tuesday, September 9, Karki visited the protest site in Kathmandu where 19 people had been killed the day before, and she met with injured protesters in hospital. Her presence was seen as a gesture of solidarity and reassurance to those who had risked—and in some cases, lost—their lives for political reform. “It is a moment of victory... finally the power vacuum has ended,” said Amrita Ban, a Gen Z protester, while the youth group Hami Nepal called for unity and to “honour the lives of those who sacrificed themselves for this moment.”
The international response has been cautiously optimistic. India’s foreign ministry issued a statement welcoming the formation of the interim government and expressing hope that it would “help in fostering peace and stability.” Neighboring countries and the global community are watching closely, aware that Nepal’s stability is crucial for the region.
For now, Nepal stands at a crossroads. The weeks ahead will test Karki’s leadership and the resilience of Nepal’s democratic institutions. Yet, for many, her appointment signals a new beginning. As James Karki, a 24-year-old protester, put it: “We started this movement so we could make a better Nepal.”
With the streets gradually quieting and a new government in place, Nepal’s journey toward healing and renewal has only just begun.