KATHMANDU, Nepal – Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned Tuesday, September 9, 2025, amid escalating unrest sparked by a recent social media ban and widespread allegations of government corruption. The move follows days of violent protests in Kathmandu and other cities, where demonstrators clashed wiht police and blocked major thoroughfares.
The resignation throws Nepal’s political landscape into uncertainty as the nation grapples with growing public discontent over restrictions on online expression and perceived impunity for those in power. The protests, initially focused on the government’s attempt too regulate social media platforms, broadened to encompass broader grievances regarding corruption and economic hardship, impacting citizens across Nepal and potentially destabilizing the fragile coalition government.
The social media ban, enacted last week, aimed to curb what officials termed the spread of “false information,” but critics denounced it as a violation of freedom of speech. Protesters responded by burning tires, erecting barricades, and engaging in confrontations with law enforcement. An Associated Press photographer captured an ambulance navigating burning debris as it attempted to reach patients in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
While a specific successor has not yet been named, Nepal’s constitution dictates a process for selecting a new prime minister, likely involving parliamentary votes and potential coalition negotiations.The immediate future hinges on the ability of political factions to forge a consensus and address the underlying issues fueling the protests. the unrest underscores a growing trend of citizen activism in Nepal, challenging established political norms and demanding greater accountability from its leaders.