Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed to lead Bangladesh’s interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid widespread protests against her rule, AP News reports.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced this decision, which was made during a meeting with military leaders, student protest organizers, and other key figures. Shahabuddin has also dissolved Parliament and ordered the release of opposition leader Khaleda Zia from house arrest.
Yunus, known for his work with microcredit through Grameen Bank, was a prominent critic of Hasina and is expected to return from Paris to assume his new role. The interim government will be formed with input from various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, and will oversee new elections.
The recent unrest began with protests against a government job quota system and escalated into demonstrations against Hasina’s 15-year rule, which faced criticism for corruption and human rights abuses. The government’s violent crackdown on the demonstrations resulted in around 300 deaths. Hasina fled to India as protestors stormed her residence and is reportedly planning to travel to the United Kingdom.