Muhammad Yunus to Lead Bangladesh’s Interim Government

Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. The decision was followed by the resignation and escape of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amidst a nationwide uprising. Yunus, known for his work in poverty alleviation through Grameen Bank, has been a vocal critic of Hasina’s government.

Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Prize winner, will head Bangladesh’s interim government. This change comes after the long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid large protests. Moreover, these protests, which were led by students, turned violent and resulted in hundreds of deaths.

The decision to appoint Yunus was made during a meeting that included military leaders and student protest organizers. Yunus, who has been in Paris advising Olympic organizers, will return to Bangladesh to take on his new role. Additionally, his appointment follows the overturning of a conviction against him for labor law violations, which he claims were politically motivated by Hasina.

Yunus is well-known for his work in microcredit, helping many people escape poverty through small loans from Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983.

The president of Bangladesh has dissolved parliament to pave the way for the interim government and new elections. In addition, opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who was under house arrest, has also been released.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India as protests grew. The army, led by General Waker-Uz-Zaman, decided not to enforce a curfew ordered by Hasina, leading to her departure. Moreover, Hasina’s resignation followed deadly clashes between protesters and security forces.

Second Liberation Day

The protests began over student demands for changes to job quotas and escalated into a larger movement against Hasina’s government. With her resignation, Yunus has called this moment Bangladesh’s “second liberation day.”

He could not immediately be reached for comment. However, a key organizer of the protests, Nahid Islam, said he had agreed to head the interim administration. Islam said protesters would propose more names for the Cabinet and suggested that it would be difficult for those in power to ignore their wishes.

The interim government will soon be formed, with further discussions to decide its members.

Meanwhile, Yunus’ appointment is seen as a major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Experts are expecting him to lead to significant changes in the country’s governance and policies.