Nepal in crisis: What You Need to Know About the Protests, Resignation, and Army Deployment
Nepal’s military has taken over the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, in a bid to end two days of protests against corruption that rapidly escalated into a full-blown public revolt against the country’s political elite, culminating in Prime Minister KP Oli’s resignation on Tuesday.
At least 19 people were killed in clashes with security forces on Monday that further inflamed protesters, who on Tuesday set the country’s Parliament building on fire while also torching the homes of several prominent politicians.
On Wednesday, amid a curfew, the Nepali army ordered people to stay at home.
Yet with Oli no longer prime minister, questions about Nepal’s political future are growing, especially with the Gen Z protesters who forced his removal unwilling to settle for a replacement prime minister from the current parliament.
so who is in charge in Nepal at the moment – and what happens next?
What happened in nepal?
Youth-led “Gen Z” protests began in Kathmandu and other cities of Nepal on monday.
the demonstrations were against corruption scandals in the country and were prompted by rising anger online towards the children of Nepali government officials – dubbed “Nepo kids” – who document their lavish lifestyles online.The protests broke out days after the country blocked more than 20 social media sites for not complying with government rules. This ban has since been lifted.
A few hours into the protest on Monday, demonstrators broke through police barricades and entered Parliament premises. Some people defied a curfew ordered by authorities. The police ended up shooting live rounds at the protesters, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100.
On Tuesday, curfews were imposed in several districts of Nepal. However, protesters defied the curfew orders and set fire to government buildings, including the parliament, alongside the office of the country’s leading daily news media organisation, Kantipur Publications.
Oli, who was elected as PM for the fourth time last year, announced his resignation. Other ministers in Nepal also resigned from their posts.
Nepali ministers had to be evacuated through helicopters to protect them from the flames and mob attacks. Protesters also began to break into prisons and free inmates.
What’s behind the army deployment in Nepal?
The nepali army was deployed after 10pm (16:15 GMT) on Tuesday.
While military mobilisation is relatively uncommon in Nepal, Bishnu Raj Upreti, a public policy analyst and research director at Nepal Center for Contemporary Research (NCCR), told Al jazeera that the army has been deployed in Nepal on the streets in the past.
The most prominent example of that, he said, was “during the later half of the Maoist insurgency period”. Nepal’s civil war lasted from 1996 to 2006.It began when the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) launched an armed rebellion against the monarchy and government. The Maoist insurgency ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in November 2006, leading to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in Nepal two years later.
This week, as protests erupted, the army initially remained in its barracks but was called out onto the streets by President Ram Chandra Poudel after the Nepali police was unable to control the soaring agitation.
“The situation was out of control of civilian government,” Upreti said. “So army came into the forefront in coordination with president. It is indeed a crisis management option.”
before the army’s mobilisation, the chiefs of Nepal’s security forces, alongside the army, released a statement, urging restraint and peace.
The statement, originally in Nepali, says: “AHere’s a breakdown of the core data from the provided text, formatted for clarity:
1. Current Situation: Is the Army in Charge?
Officially: The army’s role is to restore order, not to take over governance.
in Practice: The army is effectively in charge due to the President’s lack of credibility with the Gen Z protesters driving the movement. While the President is constitutionally in charge, the army is functionally running things.
2. Forming an Interim Government
Talks Initiated: The President and the army have invited protesters to discuss the political future. The President is attempting to position himself as a facilitator.
Protester Coordination: Over 3,200 young Nepalis are coordinating demands via Discord. Potential Demands:
Dissolution of Parliament
New elections within 6-12 months
Direct election of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister term limits
Reduced parliamentary term (5 years to 4)
3. Potential Future Leaders
Within Constitutional Framework: The next PM would need to come from current Parliament members.
Beyond Constitutional Framework: Former chief Justices or “populist youth figures” could be contenders.
Key Contender: Balendra “Balen” Shah:
35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor of Kathmandu (elected as an autonomous).
Popular with protesters,has voiced support for the movement.
Known for highlighting corruption and inequality.
Controversial: Faced criticism for a crackdown on street vendors and supports the idea of a “Greater Nepal” (including parts of India).
Pro-Monarchy Revival: There’s been a recent revival of support for the former King Gyanendra Shah, but the current protesters do not want the monarchy reinstated.
Key Takeaway: Nepal is in a state of flux. While the army isn’t officially in charge, it’s wielding significant power. The future government will likely be formed through negotiations with protesters who are pushing for considerable political reforms.Balen Shah is emerging as a potential leader, but his past actions and views are also points of contention.