In brief
Sushila Karki, Nepal's newly appointed interim prime minister, has pledged to lead the country for no more than six months following a wave of anti-corruption protests that led to her appointment. Karki emphasizes her commitment to addressing issues raised by the youth movement and restoring stability amidst widespread unrest that has resulted in significant casualties.
Nepal's newly-appointed interim prime minister says she will be in the post for no longer than six months.
I did not wish for this job. It was after voices from the streets that I was compelled to accept, Sushila Karki said, speaking for the first time since being sworn into office on Friday. She indicated that she would hand over to the new government which will emerge after elections on 5 March next year.
Her appointment comes after more than 70 people were killed during anti-corruption protests which ousted the previous government.
Karki took the oath of office after an agreement with protest leaders from the so-called Gen Z movement.
We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation, she stated. What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality.
The mass protests, sparked by a ban on social media platforms, started on 8 September and devolved into chaos and violence, leading to vandalism of politicians' homes and the burning of parliament. The unrest has resulted in a reported death toll of 72, including three police personnel, officials say.
I feel ashamed. If they were Nepalis who destroyed these essential structures, how can they be called Nepalis, the interim prime minister remarked on Sunday.
Karki, a former Supreme Court chief justice with a reputation for integrity, faces challenges including restoring law and order, rebuilding attacked infrastructures, and reassuring the public and the youth demanding systemic change in Nepal's political landscape.
