September 11, 2025, Kathmandu, Nepal
In a major political shift, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned from his post, bowing to pressure from widespread anti-government protests that have swept the country. The “Gen Z protests,” initially sparked by a government ban on several social media platforms, quickly evolved into a broader movement against deep-seated corruption, nepotism, and economic hardship. The resignation follows two days of violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators that have left at least 22 people dead and hundreds injured.
The unrest, which saw protestors set fire to government buildings, including the federal parliament, and the homes of senior politicians, is a clear indication of the public’s loss of faith in the country’s political elite. Reports from Kathmandu indicate that Prime Minister Oli, facing an unprecedented crisis, is now preparing to leave the country. This move, while a key demand of the protesters, has created a political vacuum, leaving the nation’s future uncertain.
The government’s decision to ban social media was the immediate trigger for the demonstrations, but the underlying anger has been simmering for years. A recent online campaign, dubbed “Nepo Kid,” had gone viral, highlighting the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children and starkly contrasting it with the struggles of ordinary Nepalis. With the Prime Minister’s departure, attention now turns to the formation of an interim government and whether this resignation will be enough to quell the widespread discontent and prevent further violence. The Nepali Army has been deployed to maintain order, but the protests, which have spread from Kathmandu to other cities, show no signs of abating.
