Nepal’s Top Court Blocks Recall of Ambassadors, Dealing Blow to Interim PM Karki

Nepal’s Supreme Court on Monday halted the recall of nearly a dozen ambassadors, in a setback for interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki and her government, a lawyer said.

Karki — a former Chief Justice who became the country’s first woman leader in September following mass anti-corruption protests — had ordered the recall of 11 ambassadors, including those posted to China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The diplomats had been appointed by her predecessor, K.P. Sharma Oli.

The government justified the decision by claiming dissatisfaction with the ambassadors’ performance.

However, independent lawyer Ananta Raj Luitel, who challenged the move in court, told Reuters, “The government failed to substantiate its allegations against the ambassadors before the court.”

Luitel said all the recalled envoys would continue in their posts as before.

Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said the government “respects the Supreme Court’s order.”

The 73-year-old Karki, tasked with holding new parliamentary elections for the lower house by March 5, has formed a small cabinet comprising reform-minded figures known for their anti-corruption credentials.

Earlier in September, violent Gen Z-led protests — named for the youth-dominated movement — left 76 people dead and more than 1,300 injured.

Political analyst Puranjan Acharya described the court’s decision as a “setback” for Karki.

“She recalled the ambassadors under pressure from Gen Z activists, fully aware that defending the decision in court would be difficult for the government,” Acharya said. “But in the long run, this could help her withstand even greater political pressure.”

Karki continues to face demands from Gen Z protesters to dismiss other key officials, including the head of the anti-corruption body, who was also appointed by former Prime Minister Oli.