Nepal Elects First Female Prime Minister Amid Calls for Change After Deadly Protests
In a historic move, Nepal has appointed its first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, following a tumultuous week of anti-corruption protests that left over 50 people dead. According to BBC Nepali, the former Supreme Court chief justice was sworn in during a brief ceremony on [date], becoming the interim leader of the impoverished Himalayan nation.
The appointment comes after a deal was reached with protest leaders, who had been demanding an end to corruption and a new government. The protests were sparked by a ban on social media platforms, which was lifted on Monday, but by then the movement had swelled into a mass movement. Angry crowds set fire to parliament and government buildings, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.
Karki, 73, is widely regarded as a person with a clean image and integrity, according to Reuters. She will lead an interim government tasked with conducting general elections within six months. This historic appointment marks a significant milestone for women's representation in Nepalese politics.
The protests were sparked by a ban on social media platforms, which was imposed by the previous government. The move was seen as an attempt to suppress dissent and free speech. However, it backfired, with protesters taking to the streets in large numbers. According to eyewitnesses, the clashes between riot police and protesters resulted in over 50 deaths.
The appointment of Karki has been welcomed by many, who see her as a symbol of change and reform. "This is a historic moment for Nepal," said a spokesperson for the protest movement. "We are hopeful that Justice Karki will bring about the changes we have been demanding."
Karki's appointment comes at a critical time for Nepal, which has been plagued by corruption and instability in recent years. The country has been without a functioning government since the previous administration was ousted.
The interim government led by Karki will focus on conducting general elections within six months, according to the deal reached with protest leaders. This will be a crucial test of the country's democratic institutions and its ability to hold free and fair elections.
As Nepal looks to the future, many are hopeful that Karki's appointment marks a new era of change and reform in the country. However, much work remains to be done to address the underlying issues that led to the protests in the first place.
In related news, the United Nations has welcomed the appointment of Karki and called for calm and restraint from all parties involved. "We hope that this historic moment will mark a new era of peace and stability in Nepal," said a spokesperson for the UN.
The international community is watching closely as Nepal navigates this critical period in its history. As one expert noted, "This is a crucial test of Nepal's democratic institutions and its ability to hold free and fair elections."
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.
