Nepal ex-chief justice Karki becomes PM after protests

AFP | Kathmandu

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Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki was sworn yesterday to lead the transition as the country’s next prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government.

The 73-year-old Karki, Nepal’s first woman chief justice, was sworn into office by President Ram Chandra Paudel, after the previous prime minister quit Tuesday as parliament was set ablaze.

“Congratulations! We wish you success, wish the country success,” Paudel said to Karki after the small ceremony in the presidential palace, attended by diplomats and some former leaders.

The Himalayan nation of 30 million people was plunged into chaos this week after security forces tried to crush rallies by young anti-corruption protesters.

At least 51 people were killed in the worst violence since the end of a civil war and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.

The military took back control of the streets on Wednesday, enforcing a curfew.

The appointment of the judge, known for her independence, comes after two days of intense negotiations by army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and Paudel, including with representatives from “Gen Z”, the loose umbrella title of the youth protest movement.

Thousands of young activists had used the online app Discord to debate the next steps -- and name Karki as their choice of next leader. Karki, dressed in a red sari dress, took the oath but did not make a further speech. She smiled and bowed with her hands pressed together repeatedly in traditional greetings.

“It is a moment of victory... finally the power vacuum has ended,” said Amrita Ban, a Gen Z protester. “We did it”, key youth protest group Hami Nepal posted on Instagram, calling for unity.

“Honour the lives of those who sacrificed themselves for this moment”.

Presidential press advisor Kiran Pokharel said that “a council of ministers will be formed after, and other processes will be taken from there”.

Protests fed into longstanding economic woes in Nepal, where a fifth of people aged 15-24 are unemployed, according to the World Bank, with GDP per capita standing at just $1,447.

At least 21 protesters were among those killed, mainly on Monday during the police crackdown on demonstrations against corruption and poor governance that was sparked by a ban on social media.