Bangladesh’s army chief will meet with student protest leaders on Tuesday as the country anticipates the formation of a new government. This comes a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled following a violent uprising that resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Student leaders, who initiated the movement against job quotas that evolved into a call for Hasina’s resignation, have proposed Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser of the new interim government.
“Any government other than the one we recommended would not be accepted,” said Nahid Islam, a key organizer of the student movement, in a video posted on Facebook. “We wouldn’t accept any army-supported or army-led government.” Islam also mentioned that they had discussions with Yunus, who agreed to take on the role.
Yunus, 84, known for his Grameen Bank and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, faced embezzlement charges in June, which he denied. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman is scheduled to meet with the protest organizers at noon local time on Tuesday. This follows Zaman’s announcement of Hasina’s resignation and the formation of an interim government during a televised address.
Zaman mentioned that he had discussions with leaders of major political parties, excluding Hasina’s Awami League, and planned to meet with President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
President Shahabuddin, in a televised address on Monday, stated that an interim government would hold elections as soon as possible after consulting all parties and stakeholders. He also announced the immediate release of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who was convicted of graft in 2018. Zia, 78, has denied the charges and has been in a hospital due to deteriorating health.
A BNP spokesperson indicated that Zia, still in the hospital, “will clear all charges legally and come out soon.”
Hasina, who ruled since 2009, landed at a military airfield near Delhi on Monday after leaving Dhaka. Indian officials reported that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met her there. Reports suggest Hasina may travel to the United Kingdom, although this has not been verified.
