Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to Lead Bangladesh's Interim Government

DEE August 07, 2024

Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus (C) talks to the media outside the Dhaka Labor Court in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 01 January 2024. Yunus will head the country’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled the country.

N obel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed to head Bangladesh's interim government following the flight of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid a mass uprising that resulted in hundreds of deaths and pushed the nation to the brink of chaos.

The announcement came early Wednesday from Joynal Abedin, the press secretary for President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The decision was made during a high-level meeting that included military chiefs, organizers of the student protests, prominent business leaders, and civil society members.

Yunus, a longtime political opponent of Hasina, is expected to return from Paris, where he has been advising Olympic organizers. An economist and banker, Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering work in developing microcredit markets through Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983. His efforts have been credited with lifting thousands out of poverty by providing small loans to those unable to secure traditional bank financing.

President Shahabuddin has dissolved parliament, paving the way for an interim administration and new elections. Other members of the interim government will be determined following consultations with political parties and other stakeholders.

In a significant move, Shahabuddin also ordered the release of opposition leader Khaleda Zia from house arrest. Zia, a longtime rival of Hasina, was convicted on corruption charges in 2018.

Yunus had previously referred to Hasina’s resignation as the country's “second liberation day.” During her rule, he faced corruption charges which he dismissed as politically motivated. While Yunus could not be immediately reached for comment, protest organizer Nahid Islam confirmed that Yunus had agreed to lead the interim administration.

Protesters have suggested additional names for the Cabinet, asserting that their demands cannot be ignored by the new administration.

Hasina fled to India by helicopter as protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her residence and other key buildings. Reports indicate that Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, informed Hasina's office that troops would not enforce the curfew the night before her departure. Hasina’s resignation and subsequent flight came after a violent crackdown on protests, resulting in at least 300 deaths. The protests, which began over preferential job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters, escalated into a broader movement demanding Hasina’s ouster.

The situation worsened on Sunday, when 91 people were killed in nationwide clashes, marking the deadliest day since the protests began in July. The army’s refusal to open fire on civilians significantly contributed to Hasina's decision to step down and flee.

Hasina, who has led Bangladesh for 20 of the past 30 years, secured a fourth term in January following a controversial election marred by mass arrests of opposition leaders and workers. The election was boycotted by her main rivals.

India's foreign ministry confirmed that Hasina sought refuge in India after meeting with security force leaders. She is currently believed to be in India.

As the country navigates this critical juncture, the appointment of Yunus as interim leader is seen as a potential stabilizing force, given his international reputation and history of advocating for economic empowerment and social justice.