Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Appointed Head of Bangladesh’s Interim Govt

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune. Bangladesh President’s Press Secretary, Joynal Abedin, made the announcement.

The decision regarding Yunus’s appointment was made during a meeting between President Shahabuddin and the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Joynal Abedin mentioned that the remaining members of the interim government will be finalized after further discussions with various political parties.

Earlier, a 13-member team from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement visited Bangabhaban to discuss the current political situation and the outline of the interim government. They arrived on Tuesday at 6 pm (local time) to meet with the President and the chiefs of the three armed forces.

Bangladesh is currently experiencing a fluid political situation following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, amidst mounting protests led primarily by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs. These protests evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.

Following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of the country’s parliament to pave the way for the formation of an interim administration. This decision came from a meeting with the heads of the three armed forces, political party leaders, civil society representatives, and leaders of the Students Against Discrimination movement.

In a statement from the president’s office, it was also announced that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been released from jail. Additionally, the process of releasing those detained in the student movement and various cases from July 1 to August 5 has begun, with many already freed.

In a press release on Monday, the president’s team stated that the meeting led by Shahabuddin had “decided unanimously” to free Khaleda Zia immediately. “The meeting has also decided to free all the people who have been arrested during the student protests,” the statement added.