Bangladesh is poised for the formation of a new interim government following the resignation and departure of Sheikh Hasina amidst widespread protests and a military takeover.
Key updates on the situation in Bangladesh:
Formation of caretaker government: Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin chaired a critical meeting late last evening to discuss the establishment of a military-backed caretaker government. Attendees included Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, heads of the navy and airforce, and top leaders from opposition parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami party.
Student leaders’ involvement: The Army Chief is scheduled to meet with student leaders who initially led a movement against job quotas, which evolved into calls for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. These leaders are advocating for a new interim government with Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief advisor.
General Waker’s address: In a national address, General Waker announced that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and that the Army would form an interim government. He emphasized the need to stop the violence that has plagued the country, impacting the economy and causing numerous deaths.
Sheikh Hasina’s departure: Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was given a 45-minute ultimatum to resign. After stepping down, she left Dhaka on a military aircraft for India, accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana.
Meeting with India’s NSA: Upon landing at the Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Sheikh Hasina met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. She is expected to leave for London, where she may seek political asylum, although there is no confirmation from the UK regarding asylum.
India’s response: Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the military takeover. He briefed the leaders on the situation and the steps taken by the Indian government.
International reactions: Western powers have called for calm in Bangladesh. The United States urged all parties to “refrain from further violence,” and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition.”
Protests and unrest: Sheikh Hasina had faced nationwide protests since early July, which intensified and turned violent, leading to her departure. Brutal unrest on Sunday resulted in nearly 100 deaths, bringing the total death toll since the protests began to over 400.
Escalation of protests: The protests, which started in June with student groups demanding the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs, escalated into a broader movement seeking the end of Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments as the country navigates this period of political upheaval.
