Karki’s oath-taking ceremony on Friday was a succinct yet symbolic event held at the presidential residence in Kathmandu, where President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath. The event was attended by political figures, foreign diplomats, and youth activists who played a central role in recent protests demanding governmental reform. The ceremony was broadcast live on state television, highlighting its significance for a nation grappling with political uncertainty.
The protests that precipitated this change began earlier in the week, initially sparked by a ban on social media platforms. The ban was quickly repealed, but the unrest had already evolved into a wider public expression of frustration with endemic government corruption and nepotism. The demonstrations turned violent, culminating in the torching of the parliament building and other government offices, and resulted in over 50 deaths and more than 1,300 reported injuries. The scale of the unrest prompted then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign and vacate his official residence.
In response to the growing instability, Nepal's military assumed control of Kathmandu’s streets, enforcing curfews to quell the unrest while negotiations took place between protest leaders, government officials, and the army. It was during these talks that the decision to appoint Karki as interim prime minister was reached, marking a fragile but hopeful step toward restoring order.
Sushila Karki is widely respected for her integrity and firm stance against corruption. She served as Nepal’s only female chief justice between 2016 and 2017 and was notable for resisting attempts by some parliament members to impeach her, which was seen by many as an assault on judicial independence.
According to official statements, Karki’s interim government has been tasked with restoring peace and stability as well as preparing the country for new parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. The parliament has already been dissolved as part of this transition process. Karki is expected to form a caretaker cabinet in the coming days to aid in governing during this critical transitional phase.
The appointment has been met with cautious optimism among Nepalese citizens. Suraj Bhattarai, a social worker in Kathmandu, expressed hope that the new prime minister would address corruption: “Nepal has got its first woman prime minister. We think that the prime minister—our former chief justice—will address Nepal’s fight against corruption and take good governance forward.”
Internationally, the United Nations and neighbouring countries like India have welcomed Karki’s appointment, emphasising support for Nepal’s journey toward peace, justice, and democracy. UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Hanna Singer Hamdy underscored the importance of this historic moment, highlighting the role of the youth movement known as "Gen Z" and the collaborative efforts of Nepal’s president and army chief in making this transition possible.
As Kathmandu begins to recover from its darkest days in recent memory, with markets reopening and daily life cautiously resuming, much attention remains focused on how effectively Sushila Karki’s government will address the demands for transparency and reform that sparked the protests.