Nepal’s ex-chief justice Sushila Karki has been selected as the country’s temporary leader following intense anti-corruption demonstrations that compelled Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to step down. Karki, aged 73 and the first woman to have served as chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court, is scheduled to be sworn in on Friday, as stated by Archana Khadka Adhikari, an official from the president’s office.
The recent unrest in the Himalayan nation, resulting in 51 fatalities and over 1,300 injuries during clashes with the police, was triggered by a social media restriction that has since been reversed. The turmoil subsided only after Oli’s resignation.
Positioned between India and China, Nepal has been grappling with political and economic uncertainties since disbanding its monarchy in 2008, with a significant number of its population seeking employment abroad due to a lack of job opportunities domestically.
Signs of normalcy returning to Kathmandu were evident on Friday, with shops reopening, cars on the streets, and police officers carrying batons instead of firearms as previously seen during the week. While some roads remained blocked, fewer soldiers were patrolling the streets. Authorities began releasing the bodies of those who lost their lives in the protests to their families.
One of the deceased protesters, Ashab Alam Thakurai, 24, who had recently gotten married, was found in a morgue after being missing following his involvement in the demonstrations, according to his uncle Zulfikar Alam.
Nepal’s military, known for its limited involvement in political matters and predominantly engaged in disaster response efforts, has a strong public approval despite its infrequent deployment. Over the years, the army has played a crucial role in restoring order during significant protests and has actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
In the aftermath of the recent violent protests, the military’s intervention has been crucial in stabilizing the situation, with many individuals expressing relief compared to countries where military interference in civilian governance is feared during crises.
As the transition unfolds in Nepal under interim leadership, discussions have been initiated to name a transitional leader through consultations involving the president, army officials, and representatives from various protesting factions. The evolving scenario draws parallels with the political developments in Bangladesh last year, indicating a trend towards collaborative decision-making involving protest leaders and the military to navigate through times of crisis.
While the transition process may present challenges, analysts emphasize the importance of the military’s role in facilitating dialogue and resolution without getting entangled in political affairs to avoid unnecessary controversies.