Nepal picks ex-chief judge Karki as first woman PM

Nepal's first woman chief justice Sushila Karki took oath on Friday as the Himalayan nation’s interim prime minister to lead a six-month transition to elections, two days after violent anti-corruption protests ousted the government.

- Prawesh Lama

The neighbouring country of 30 million people was plunged into chaos earlier this week after security forces tried to crush rallies by young anti-corruption protesters. At least 51 people were killed in the worst violence since the end of a civil war and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli quit on Tuesday as houses of top politicians were ransacked and Parliament was set ablaze.

"I, Sushila Karki... take an oath in the name of the country and the people to fulfil my duty as the prime minister," the 73-year-old former judge, an alumna of Banaras Hindu University and now the country’s only woman PM, said as she was sworn into office by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

“Congratulations! We wish you success, wish the country success,” Paudel said to Karki after the small ceremony in the presidential palace, attended by diplomats and some former leaders even as the capital city of Kathmandu reeled under prohibitory orders.

Karki, dressed in a red sari, took the oath but did not make a further speech. She smiled and bowed with her hands pressed together.

“We are happy that the person who was chosen by Gen Z representatives has become the PM. We hope she will take Nepal out of this crisis and build a future," said Deepak Kafle, 23, a protester.