Feb 16 • 16:56 UTC 🇫🇷 France France24

Bangladesh's interim leader Yunus resigns, handing power to elected government

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has resigned, transferring authority to an elected government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party following a significant democratic shift in the country.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has officially resigned, marking a pivotal transition of power to an elected government after a period of political upheaval. This transition comes after substantial democratic reforms were supported by Bangladeshi citizens in a recent referendum, which followed the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's controversial administration. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, emphasized the importance of maintaining democracy and fundamental rights in his farewell address to the nation.

Having returned from a self-imposed exile in August 2024, Yunus noted the importance of the democratic practices that have emerged post-uprising, cautioning against any regression in civil liberties. His resignation symbolizes not only a change in leadership but also a broader shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, takes charge after the citizens voted for significant reforms.

This change poses various implications for the future of governance in Bangladesh, highlighting the population's desire for more democratic engagement and responsive governance, as well as raising questions about the stability and capacity of the newly elected government to address the issues faced by the nation in the wake of recent turmoil. The transition from an interim to an elected government could lead to enhanced political freedoms, but it also bears the challenge of uniting a divided populace and implementing effective policy changes in a complex sociopolitical context.

📡 Similar Coverage