Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will lead Bangladesh’s interim government following the ousting of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The announcement, made early Wednesday by Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the country's figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin, comes after a dramatic shift in the nation’s political landscape.
The decision was reached during a meeting that brought together military leaders, organizers of the student protests that contributed to Hasina’s departure, prominent business figures, and members of civil society. Yunus, a staunch critic of Hasina and a well-respected economist and banker, is expected to return from Paris soon, where he has been advising on Olympic preparations.
Yunus, who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering work with microcredit through Grameen Bank, has been celebrated for lifting many out of poverty with small loans to entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking. His appointment marks a significant shift in the country’s governance, with other members of the interim government to be selected following discussions with political parties and other stakeholders.
President Shahabuddin also took significant steps by dissolving parliament and releasing opposition leader Khaleda Zia from house arrest. Zia, a longtime rival of Hasina, had been convicted of corruption in 2018.
Yunus had previously described Hasina’s resignation as the “second liberation day” for Bangladesh. Despite facing corruption charges himself during Hasina's tenure—charges he claimed were politically motivated—Yunus’s leadership is expected to bring new changes.
The dramatic events unfolded after Hasina fled the country by helicopter, as protesters, defying a military curfew, stormed her residence and other key buildings. The unrest, which began as student protests against job quota policies, had escalated into widespread violence. On Sunday, at least 91 people were killed in clashes, marking the deadliest day of the protests.
Reports indicate that army chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman informed Hasina’s office that the military could not enforce the curfew, leading to Hasina's decision to leave. She reportedly sought permission from India for refuge as the situation deteriorated.
Hasina, who led Bangladesh for 20 of the last 30 years, was elected to a fourth term in January under contentious circumstances, with major opposition parties boycotting the election. The political turmoil and subsequent transition have left the future of Bangladesh's governance uncertain.
With contributions from Reuters and Redwan Ahmed in Dhaka.
