On Thursday, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government following an uprising that led to the resignation and flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
Yunus now faces the critical tasks of restoring peace and preparing for new elections after weeks of violence, during which student activists led an uprising against what was seen as Hasina’s increasingly autocratic 15-year rule.
Bangladesh’s figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus, who will serve as the chief advisor—a role equivalent to prime minister—at the presidential palace in Dhaka. The ceremony was attended by foreign diplomats, civil society members, top businessmen, and members of the former opposition party, but no representatives from Hasina’s party were present.
The interim Cabinet, consisting of 16 members drawn mainly from civil society, includes two of the student protest leaders. These members were selected through discussions between student leaders, civil society representatives, and the military earlier this week.
Hasina stepped down on Monday after several chaotic weeks that began in July with protests against a quota system for government jobs, which critics claimed favored those with connections to Hasina’s party. The demonstrations quickly escalated into a broader challenge to her 15-year rule, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people, including students, amid escalating violence.
Yunus, who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in developing microcredit markets, was in Paris for the 2024 Olympics when he was chosen for the interim role. He returned to Dhaka earlier on Thursday under tight security.
In his first comments after returning, Yunus emphasized his priority of restoring order. “Bangladesh is a family. We must unite it,” Yunus said, flanked by student leaders. “It has immense potential.”
On Wednesday in Paris, Yunus had called for calm and an end to all partisan violence.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who acts as an adviser to his mother, vowed on Wednesday that his family and the Awami League party would remain engaged in Bangladesh’s politics—a reversal from his earlier statements following Hasina’s resignation and flight to India.
The president dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, paving the way for the interim administration.
On Wednesday, a tribunal in Dhaka acquitted Yunus in a labor law violation case involving a telecommunications company he founded. He had previously been convicted and sentenced to six months in jail but was released on bail.
Yunus has long been a critic of Hasina, who once called him a “bloodsucker” for allegedly using force to collect loan repayments from the rural poor, primarily women—allegations Yunus has denied.
Following Hasina’s resignation, chaos continued on the streets of Bangladesh. Dozens of police officers were killed, leading to a nationwide police strike. Reports of looting and the theft of firearms also emerged.
The unrest, initially sparked by protests over the quota system, evolved into a broader challenge against an administration marked by human rights abuses, corruption, allegations of rigged elections, and a brutal crackdown on opponents.
Joy, Hasina’s son, stated in a social media post on Wednesday that his family would return to politics, despite the recent attacks on the Awami League. Many observers see Joy as Hasina’s potential successor in the dynastic political culture that dominates Bangladesh’s politics.
“If we want to build a new Bangladesh, it is not possible without the Awami League,” he said. “The Awami League is the oldest, democratic, and largest party in Bangladesh.”
Residents across Dhaka took measures to protect their neighborhoods overnight into Thursday amid reports of robberies, as police remained off duty. Communities used mosque loudspeakers to alert people to the danger, and the military provided hotline numbers for assistance.
The rapid appointment of Yunus came in response to the power vacuum created by Hasina’s resignation, leaving the future of Bangladesh uncertain. The nation, which has a history of military rule, turbulent politics, and numerous crises, now faces fears of further instability as it deals with high unemployment, corruption, and complex strategic relationships with India, China, and the United States.
Hasina, 76, was elected to a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by her main opponents. Thousands of opposition members were jailed before the vote, and the U.S. and U.K. denounced the result as not credible.
Source: AP
