Nepal PM Oli resigns after Army Chief asks him to quit amid Gen Z protests
Nepal PM Oli resigns after Army Chief asks him to quit amid Gen Z protests
M.U.H
09/09/202517
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as violent protests over the government's social media ban intensified, his aide Prakash Silwal confirmed. In his resignation letter, Oli said he was stepping down "to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically".
Protests continued in Nepal for the second day despite the government announcing that it had lifted the ban on social media platforms. Demonstrators demanded Oli's ouster and the government's dismissal after two more people were killed on the second day of the demonstrations, pushing the death toll to 22 and leaving over 300 injured.
Just hours before his resignation, Oli had appealed to protesters to maintain peace and exercise restraint, calling for solutions through dialogue. He had also announced an all-party meeting at 6 pm to address the crisis. "Any form of violence is not in the national interest. We must adopt peaceful dialogue and discussion," Oli said in his statement.
According to army sources, Oli had earlier spoken to Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, seeking military assistance to control the worsening situation and to ensure his safe exit from the Prime Minister's residence. The Army Chief reportedly advised him to step down, saying the military could only stabilise the situation if he relinquished power. Sources earlier said that Oli was planning to flee to Dubai.
Meanwhile, security operations intensified across Kathmandu. Around a dozen helicopters took off from the Bhaisepati ministerial quarters to evacuate government officials to Tribhuvan International Airport.
At least five army helicopters were deployed to transport key ministers. Tribhuvan International Airport was later shut down and all flights cancelled amid escalating unrest, with protesters calling on social media to disrupt operations by flying drones, launching fireworks and using laser lights to interfere with aircraft.
Protesters also continued to target the homes and offices of senior political leaders. On Tuesday, they set fire to Nepal's Parliament and vandalised the private residences of both the Prime Minister and the President. The protesters attacked Singha Durbar, where the houses of ministers and the Parliament are located, with several videos surfacing online.
Visuals of the Nepal Parliament showed thick smoke billowing from the spot as the protesters set the building on fire.
