Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after violent protests left 19 people dead.
Oli’s government had lifted a controversial social media ban on Monday after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters attempting to storm parliament. Despite the ban being lifted, unrest continued, forcing Oli to step down and plunging Nepal into renewed political uncertainty.
“In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution,” Oli wrote in his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel.
An aide to the President confirmed the resignation had been accepted and said Paudel had begun “the process and discussions for a new leader.” The army also posted an appeal on X asking citizens to “exercise restraint” following Oli’s resignation.
Oli, 73, began his fourth term as Nepal’s 14th prime minister since 2008 in July last year. Two of his cabinet colleagues resigned late on Monday, citing moral objections to continuing in office.
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Earlier on Tuesday, Oli convened a meeting of all political parties, urging calm. “Violence is not in the interest of the nation, and we have to resort to peaceful dialogue to find solutions to any problem,” he said. He added that he was saddened by the violent incidents caused by “infiltration from different selfish centres,” though he did not address protesters’ complaints about corruption directly.
Despite his appeal, anger against the government persisted. Protesters gathered in front of parliament and across Kathmandu, setting fire to tyres, throwing stones at riot police, and chasing them through narrow streets while recording clashes on mobile phones. Witnesses reported that some protesters set fire to the homes of politicians, and local media said several ministers were evacuated by military helicopters, although Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
Kathmandu’s main international airport was temporarily closed as smoke from nearby fires posed a risk to aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said.
“We are still standing here for our future … We want this country corruption-free so that everyone can easily access education, hospitals, medical [facilities] … and for a bright future,” protester Robin Sreshtha told Reuters TV.
Organisers described the demonstrations as “protests by Gen Z,” driven by young Nepalis frustrated with the government’s perceived inaction on corruption and lack of economic opportunities. “The protest was intended, first and foremost, against the rampant corruption in government,” a protester wrote in an email to Reuters, signing off as “A concerned Nepali citizen.” The email added that young people had highlighted the “luxurious lives of the families and children of corrupt politicians and civil servants,” prompting the government’s social media clampdown.
Neighbouring India expressed hope that all parties would exercise restraint and resolve issues through dialogue. A joint statement by the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Norway, Germany, and the U.S. urged “maximum restraint, avoid further escalation and ensure fundamental rights are protected.”
The social media ban, imposed last week, blocked access to several platforms after the government said they had failed to register. Critics called the move an attempt to throttle free speech, a charge the government denies, citing concerns over disinformation and fraud.
