Katmandu: Nepal’s interim leader has held the first talks between political parties and youth representatives since last month’s anti-corruption protests that toppled the previous government, officials said on Thursday.
“We have succeeded in creating an environment of cooperation and trust by ending the state of lack of dialogue,” Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the former chief justice appointed as interim leader, said in a statement on social media.
The unrest on September 8-9 was triggered by a brief ban on social media, although it was fueled by long-standing frustration over economic hardship and corruption.
At least 73 people were killed during the two days of unrest, which left parliament, courts and government buildings in flames.
Karki, 73, who will lead the Himalayan nation until elections, held a four-hour meeting with youth representatives on Wednesday, according to her media coordinator Ram Rawal.
The challenges ahead to ensure the March 2026 elections pass off smoothly are huge — including deep public distrust in Nepal’s established parties.
The meeting, headed by Karki, was attended by all major political parties and several “Gen Z” representatives, Rawal said.
Also included were representatives of the party of ousted former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, the Communist Party of Nepal — Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).
“After the protest, there was a trust gap between them,” Rawal told AFP. “This meeting has helped create an environment of trust for the upcoming elections.”
Karki said in a post on X that “the new generation, political parties and the government all have the same goal — to hold fair, secure and timely elections.”
She has pledged to restore order and address calls for clean governance in the country of 30 million.
Minister for Communication Jagadish Kharel told reporters after the meeting that it was “important and fruitful.”
The unrest in September hit Nepal’s already fragile economy. The World Bank estimates a “staggering” 82 percent of the workforce is in informal employment, while GDP per capita stood at just $1,447 in 2024.
Nepal PM holds first talks since protests with parties and ‘Gen Z’
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Nepal PM holds first talks since protests with parties and ‘Gen Z’
- Nepal’s interim leader has held the first talks between political parties and youth representatives
Nigeria seeks French help to combat insecurity, says Macron
- African country has witnessed violence and mass kidnappings from schools
LAGOS: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has sought more help from France to fight widespread violence in the north of the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday, weeks after the United States threatened to intervene to protect Nigeria’s Christians.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has witnessed an upsurge in attacks in volatile northern areas in the past month, including mass kidnappings from schools and a church.
US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of possible military action in Nigeria, accusing it of mistreating Christians. The government says the allegations misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
FASTFACTS
• US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of possible military action in Nigeria, accusing it of mistreating Christians.
• The government says the allegations misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
Macron said he had a phone call with Tinubu on Sunday, where he conveyed France’s support to Nigeria as it grapples with several security challenges, “particularly the terrorist threat in the North.”
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement,” Macron said in a post on X.
Macron did not say what help would be offered by France, which has withdrawn its troops from West and Central Africa and plans to focus on training, intelligence sharing and responding to requests from countries for assistance.
Nigeria is grappling with a long-running insurgency in the northeast, armed kidnapping gangs in the northwest and deadly clashes between largely Muslim cattle herders and mostly Christian farmers in the central parts of the country, stretching its security forces.
Washington said last month that it was considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel Nigeria to better protect its Christian communities.
The Nigerian government has said it welcomes help to fight insecurity as long as its sovereignty is respected. France has previously supported efforts to curtail the actions of armed groups, the US has shared intelligence and sold arms, including fighter jets, and Britain has trained Nigerian troops.
