Nepal’s interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, has pledged to tackle corruption, create jobs and raise living standards in her first public remarks since taking office, following a wave of youth-led protests that toppled the government of K.P. Sharma Oli.
At least 72 people were killed and more than 2,100 injured during two days of unrest last week, which saw arson and vandalism devastate public and private property in the capital, Kathmandu. The prime minister’s office, the Supreme Court and parliament buildings were among the worst hit.
“We must accept the fact that the protests took place because of the failure to fulfil the spirit and objectives of providing good governance and prosperity enshrined in the constitution,” Karki said in a televised address marking Nepal’s national day and the 10th anniversary of the proclamation of the constitution.
Karki, a former Supreme Court chief justice and the first woman to lead Nepal, was appointed after negotiations between protest leaders, the president and the army chief. She has been tasked with steering the country towards parliamentary elections on 5 March.
The government now faces a steep recovery challenge. Energy and infrastructure minister Kulman Ghising estimated that damage from the unrest could reach $1bn to $1.5bn, and urged Nepalis at home and abroad to contribute to rebuilding efforts.
Court hearings are being held in tents after fires destroyed courtrooms, records and IT systems. Police have appealed for help with investigations, receiving more than 30,000 emails containing videos and photos from the public.
Credit ratings agency Fitch warned that the political turmoil had heightened risks to Nepal’s economic outlook and could put pressure on the country’s fiscal position and credit metrics.
