Nepalese Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday after intense pressure from a series of mass protests led by the country’s youth.
The wave of protests known as the “Gen Z” movement was sparked by public anger over a range of issues including corruption, political nepotism and the government’s blocking of major social media platforms.
The protests, which began in Kathmandu over the weekend, turned violent as protesters attacked and burned several government buildings, including the parliament building and the homes of political leaders.
At least 22 people were reported killed and hundreds injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.
Authorities imposed a curfew in Kathmandu and Lalitpur and deployed troops to control the situation.
Tribhuvan International Airport was also temporarily closed to prevent security disruptions.
Following increasing pressure, the government finally lifted the social media ban and reopened access to popular platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X.
Oli, in his statement, expressed regret over the loss of life and announced compensation for the victims' families, as well as establishing an investigation committee into the incident.
However, his resignation is expected to open a new chapter in Nepal's political landscape, which is currently facing instability following the rise of the younger generation.
