Nepal’s Youth Protesters and Army Resume Talks to Select Interim Leader

Nepal’s army is set to resume talks with “Gen Z” protesters on Thursday to select an interim leader for the Himalayan nation, an army spokesperson said. The announcement comes after widespread protests that left 30 people dead and forced the resignation of the prime minister.

Troops patrolled the quiet streets of Kathmandu following some of the worst demonstrations the capital has seen in decades. The protests began after social media restrictions were imposed, which authorities withdrew following the deaths of 19 people when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who became Nepal’s first female chief justice in 2016, is emerging as the frontrunner in the race for interim leadership, with her name suggested by several protest leaders.

“We see Sushila Karki for who she truly is — honest, fearless, and unwavering,” said 34-year-old protest supporter Sujit Kumar Jha. “She’s the right choice. Truth has a face, and it looks like Karki.”

The 73-year-old Karki has given her consent, but efforts are underway to find a constitutional way to formalize her appointment, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters.

However, another source revealed that some differences remain among protesters regarding her nomination as they strive to reach a consensus.

Karki did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, and the army spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for remarks.

Earlier on Thursday, army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet told Reuters that preliminary discussions on selecting an interim leader are ongoing and will continue today. “We are gradually working to restore normalcy.”

Shops, schools, and colleges in and around Kathmandu remained closed, though some essential services have begun resuming operations.

The army issued a statement saying that curfews would remain in place for most of the day, while an airport spokesperson confirmed that international flights are operating.

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Health, the death toll from the protests had reached 30 by Thursday, with 1,033 people injured.

The protests, widely dubbed the “Gen Z movement,” involved mostly young people expressing their frustration over corruption and the government’s perceived failure to create economic opportunities.

Government buildings from the Supreme Court to ministers’ homes, including the private residence of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, were set on fire during the unrest, which only subsided after the prime minister’s resignation.

Among the businesses that were targeted were several hotels in the tourist city of Pokhara and the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu.