Dhaka, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s military took charge of the country on Tuesday, following the resignation and flight of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The political upheaval unfolded after a month of escalating protests against Hasina’s administration, culminating in her resignation and a dramatic exit from the country.
The unrest began in early July with demonstrations against civil service job quotas and quickly broadened into widespread calls for Hasina’s resignation. Hasina, who had been in power since 2009, faced allegations of election rigging and a violent crackdown on dissent. The unrest led to hundreds of deaths as security forces attempted to suppress the growing protests.
On Monday, Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter as the military turned against her. Army Chief General Wakeruz Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation on state television and declared that the military would form a caretaker government. “The country has suffered a lot; the economy has been hit, many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence,” Zaman said.
In the aftermath, jubilant crowds stormed and looted Hasina’s official residence, while protests spread across the capital, Dhaka. The unrest resulted in at least 109 deaths on Monday alone, bringing the total number of fatalities to 409 since the beginning of the protests, according to an AFP tally.
Student leaders, who played a key role in the protests against job quotas, have called for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government. Yunus has reportedly agreed to take on the role of chief adviser to the interim government.
Traffic in Dhaka was lighter than usual, and schools reopened with minimal attendance. The garment sector, crucial to Bangladesh’s economy, remained closed with no immediate plans for reopening.
The situation remains fluid, with the military declaring a curfew and the international community calling for a peaceful transition. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell have stressed the need for a “peaceful, orderly and democratic transition.” The U.S. and U.K. have urged calm and stability as the country navigates this unprecedented political shift.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who ordered the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has met with key opposition leaders to discuss the formation of an interim government. Zia, released after being jailed for graft under Hasina’s rule, is in poor health but is expected to play a role in the transitional period.
The military’s control has also seen a temporary shutdown of Dhaka’s international airport. Reports suggest that Hasina may have landed at a military airbase near New Delhi, though her future plans remain uncertain amidst calls for an investigation into the violence.
As families await news of missing political prisoners and human rights groups demand accountability for alleged abuses under Hasina’s regime, the country faces a crucial period of transition. Human Rights Watch has reported over 600 enforced disappearances under Hasina’s government, with many still unaccounted for.
The coming days will be critical as Bangladesh seeks to stabilize and rebuild amidst this significant political upheaval.
