Bangladesh Prime Minister resigns, flees as protesters storm residence

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, resigned on Monday, August 5, 2024, as thousands of protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence in the country’s capital.

Army chief Waker-Us-Zaman said in a televised address that 76-year-old Hasina had left the country, adding that an interim government would be formed.

Waker’s announcement comes after more than 90 people were killed on Sunday in the deadliest day of violence in anti-government demonstrations that began in July.

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

Waker added: “We will form an interim government.

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“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed – it is time to stop the violence. I hope after my speech, the situation will improve.”

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members – but not Hasina’s Awami League.

Waker is a career infantry officer who has spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two tours as a UN peacekeeper as well as in the prime minister’s office.

“If the situation gets better, there is no need for emergency”, he said, vowing the new authorities would “prosecute all murders” following weeks of deadly protests.

“Now the task of the students is to keep calm and help us,” AFP quoted Waker as saying.

Bedecked with medal ribbons on his green uniform, the mild-looking and spectacle-wearing officer was appointed to the military’s top job as chief of army staff earlier this year.

Bangladesh is a South Asian country with a population of 171.2 million as of 2022.

The Star