Following widespread protests that compelled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country, Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning microfinance leader, will take charge of a provisional government, according to an announcement from the presidency on Wednesday.
This swift decision came after student leaders urged Yunus, who is recognized for helping millions out of poverty in Bangladesh, to step into a leadership role. The meeting that led to this appointment included President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders from the army, navy, and air force, along with student representatives.
In a statement from the president’s office, it was confirmed, “They decided to form an interim government with Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus as its chief.” President Shahabuddin called for public support to navigate the ongoing crisis and emphasized the urgent need for a transitional government.
Haid Islam, a leader of the student group Students Against Discrimination who was present at the discussions, stated that Yunus would serve as the chief advisor. Islam further informed the media that the president expressed commitment to establishing the interim government ”within the shortest time.”
While the announcement has created a buzz, details regarding the structure of the provisional government and the military’s role remain unclear. Currently in Europe, Yunus conveyed to AFP his willingness to lead the interim government, declaring, “If action is needed in Bangladesh, for my country and for the courage of my people, then I will take it,” urging for free elections in the process.
Hasina, 76, who had been in power since 2009, announced her resignation on Monday. This decision followed a wave of protests in Dhaka, where thousands called for her departure. The unrest had escalated over the past month, initially sparked by objections to government job quotas, and evolving into a broader anti-Hasina movement.
The prime minister faced allegations of election rigging in January and was accused of human rights violations. In response to the protests, Hasina deployed security forces to suppress dissent, resulting in significant casualties. However, as tensions mounted, the military distanced itself from her government, leading to her flight via helicopter to neighboring India.
On Sunday, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated it was ”time to stop the violence.” Following this shift, the military agreed to several demands from the student leaders, which included Yunus’s appointment. Additionally, President Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday, addressing another student demand and that of the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP).
On the same day, the head of the police, which protestors blamed for facilitating Hasina’s crackdown, was dismissed. Furthermore, the former prime minister and BNP chair, Khaleda Zia, 78, was released from years of house arrest, as confirmed by a presidential statement and the BNP.
On Tuesday, Dhaka’s streets were relatively calm, with shops reopening and international flights at the airport resuming. However, government offices largely remained closed. Crowds celebrating Hasina’s departure stormed her official residence, with some declaring, ”We have been freed from a dictatorship,” comparing the moment to the nation’s liberation from Pakistan over fifty years ago.
Authorities reported that mobs retaliated against Hasina’s allies and law enforcement, freeing over 500 inmates from local prisons. Protesters also breached parliament, set fire to television stations, and vandalized statues of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a national hero. Attacks were also reported against businesses and homes owned by Hindus, who are often viewed as close to Hasina’s government.
Human rights organizations, along with US and EU diplomats, expressed grave concerns regarding assaults on various minority groups. In light of the unrest, regional powers like India and China, which have longstanding ties with Bangladesh, have called for restraint and calm.
