Nepal Signs Historic Agreement with Gen Z Movement Following Government Overthrow

Nepal's interim government has reached a historic agreement with the Gen Z movement representatives, whose protests led to the fall of the previous administration.

On Wednesday in Kathmandu, Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Bhoj Bikram Thapa, representing victims of the protests, signed a landmark pact amid applause from attendees.

"This is a milestone," Prime Minister Karki declared during the ceremony. "Though we appear as two sides in this agreement, we share common goals. We all desire youth leadership and a nation that operates according to their aspirations."

The protests initially erupted over a temporary social media ban but quickly expanded to address deeper concerns about economic struggles and widespread corruption. The September uprising resulted in significant casualties, with at least 19 people killed on the first day of demonstrations.

The following day saw nationwide unrest, including the burning of parliament and government buildings, which precipitated the government's immediate collapse. The total death toll from the violence reached at least 76 people.

In the aftermath, 73-year-old former chief justice Karki was appointed to lead an interim government tasked with guiding Nepal toward elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

The newly established agreement outlines specific measures to combat corruption, enhance governance, and implement electoral and constitutional reforms. It also addresses the demands of families who lost loved ones or had members injured during the uprising and expands the investigative commission's mandate.

Yujan Rajbhandari, a 23-year-old who witnessed the signing, expressed his emotions to AFP: "It's a very emotional moment and a historic achievement for all of Gen Z. We worked day and night for three months to make this agreement happen. This agreement has given legitimacy to the Gen-Z protest, and we hope it will bring justice to the families of the martyrs."

Despite this progress, Nepal's political situation remains unstable, with deep skepticism toward established political parties complicating efforts to ensure credible future elections.