Nepal’s military is engaged in high-stakes negotiations with young protesters to decide the country’s next interim leader following mass demonstrations that left 30 dead and more than 1,000 injured.
The protests, driven largely by Gen Z activists, erupted after a controversial social media ban and culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Raja Ram Basnet, spokesperson for the Nepal Army, confirmed that discussions are ongoing. “Initial talks are on and would continue today. We are trying to normalise the situation slowly,” he said in a statement to Reuters.
Kathmandu remained under tight security Thursday, with soldiers patrolling the streets and prohibitory orders still in place across the capital and surrounding areas. Despite the unrest, international flights continue to operate, according to an airport official.
The wave of protests—Nepal’s most intense in years—began after the government imposed a sudden ban on social media platforms, sparking outrage among young citizens. The ban was lifted only after 19 people were killed in initial clashes, but the demonstrations intensified, targeting symbols of government power, including the Supreme Court and private homes of ministers.
Protesters are demanding accountability, anti-corruption reforms, and improved economic prospects. Their preferred candidate for interim leadership is former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, known for her outspoken stance against corruption.
“When they requested me, I accepted,” Karki confirmed in an interview with India’s CNN-News18, referring to the protesters’ call for her to lead the transitional government.
Raman Kumar Karna, secretary of Nepal’s Supreme Court Bar Association, said the protesters consulted with the legal body before putting Karki’s name forward.
As Nepal faces one of its most uncertain political transitions in recent history, all eyes remain on the ongoing dialogue between the military and the country’s younger generation—now a powerful force demanding change.
