Nepal Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, a day after one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters in years, which left at least 19 dead.
“I have resigned from the post of prime minister with effect from today… in order to take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the problems,” he wrote in his resignation letter to the president.
The protests began on Monday with young demonstrators demanding the government lifted its ban on social media platforms and take stronger action against corruption. Unrest continued despite authorities restoring access to apps, including Facebook, X and YouTube.
Amnesty International reported that live ammunition was used against the protesters during Monday’s clashes, which claimed at least 19 lives and injured more than 100 people.
Oli, 73, started his fourth term as the country’s premier last year after his Communist Party formed a coalition government with the centre-left Nepali Congress.