Kathmandu – On Tuesday, Nepal was plunged into further political instability after its Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned his position following days of massive, Gen Z-led protests in the country.

The power vacuum and the intensifying violence have led to the Nepali Army being put in control of the security situation so as to restore order.

The resignation followed as Gen Z protesters persisted in breaking curfew and confronting the security forces. The movement that started as an opposition against the controversial government ban on social media swiftly turned into a fully-fledged anti-corruption movement.

The riot has already resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, and hundreds more are injured.

“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 said in his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel.

He made this choice following the invasion of his residence and the Parliament complex by protesters who burnt them down. The homes of other senior leaders were also burnt down in acts of widespread arson.

The Rise of a Generation Z Movement

Systemic corruption and nepotism have been the root cause of these protests. The young Nepalis, who have seen a high turnover of 14 governments since the nation was made a republic in 2008, blame the political elite for living lavishly without bringing much in terms of occupations and economic security.

The catalyst that triggered this long-smoldering anger was the social media ban that was reversed when the first wave of protests became lethal.

The ban was viewed as one of the efforts to silence citizens, especially the young people who had been taking to social media platforms to reveal the lavish lifestyles of the families of politicians, a trend they refer to as nepo kids.

Hours before Oli resigned, army sources said that Oli had requested military support of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel in order to guarantee his safe exit.

The Army Chief is quoted as telling him to resign because the military could only stabilize the situation in case he gave up power.

Army Takes Control Amid Political Vacuum

The Nepali Army has officially intervened, as the Prime Minister and various major ministers, including the Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, have resigned.

The military made a statement that it is wholly dedicated to fulfilling its constitutional mandate of protecting national independence, sovereignty, geographical integrity, national unity, and national security of the Nepali people.

The army has been dispatched to protect vital places, such as the Parliament complex, the Supreme Court, and Tribhuvan International Airport, which was closed down by the violence. Protesters were reported to have set the Supreme Court on fire, according to witnesses.

All citizens, and particularly the youth, have been called upon by the army to contribute positively to the issue of enhancing social harmony, peace, and national unity in these challenging times.