US Welcomes Nepal’s New Era of Peace After Anti-Corruption Protests
The United States has expressed strong support for Nepal’s return to calm after a wave of intense anti-corruption protests rocked the country. This comes right after former Chief Justice Sushila Karki stepped in as the Prime Minister of the interim government, marking a big shift in Nepal’s politics.
US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson, shared his thoughts in a statement on Sunday. He highlighted how the peaceful resolution ended last week’s chaos and stressed Washington’s eagerness to team up with the new leaders. "Rt. Hon. Sushila Karki has been appointed as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal. We welcome the restoration of calm and a peaceful resolution following last week’s tragic events," Thompson posted on X.
Thompson gave a shoutout to Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and the youth leaders who steered the nation toward a democratic handover amid the nationwide protests. "We commend President Ramchandra Paudel and youth leaders for their commitment to a democratic solution, even as we continue to mourn with Nepal over its losses," he added. The ambassador also praised the Nepalese Army and Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel for their key role in bringing back order and smoothing the path to this civilian-led interim setup. "We look forward to working with the interim government in the months ahead as they prepare for new elections," the statement noted.
On the ground, Kathmandu’s streets started buzzing back to life on Sunday morning. After days of shutdowns from the anti-corruption protests, light traffic returned, shops reopened, and tensions eased, pointing to a slow but steady return to normalcy.
These protests kicked off on September 8, driven mainly by Gen Z youth activists fed up with corruption, lack of accountability, and political failures. The spark? A government ban on social media platforms that only fueled the frustration over economic gaps and elite inaction.
Now, Sushila Karki’s appointment as Nepal’s first female Prime Minister has sparked fresh hope among many Nepalis. The 73-year-old judge, known for her integrity, got sworn in on Friday after protesters rallied behind her name. This followed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation amid the uproar.
Karki takes office today at Singha Durbar and has already kicked off talks with her team and Gen Z representatives to build a lean, reform-focused Cabinet. Sources close to her, as reported by The Kathmandu Post, say she’ll cap it at 15 ministers despite controlling all 25 ministries. This aligns perfectly with demands from civil society and the youth movement for real change.
As Nepal gears up for upcoming elections, Karki’s leadership could be the fresh start the country needs to tackle corruption and build a brighter future.
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