Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, has been appointed head of Bangladesh's interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country as a massive student-led uprising swept the nation.
Appointment Announced After Late-Night Talks
Presidential press secretary Joynal Abedin announced the decision in the early hours of Wednesday. The appointment came after a five-hour meeting held late Tuesday at the presidential house, attended by student protest movement representatives, the chiefs of Bangladesh's three military divisions, civil society figures, and several leading businesspeople.
Abedin confirmed that other ministers in the interim government led by Yunus would be named after consultations with different political parties and key stakeholders were completed.
Student-Led Uprising Ousted Sheikh Hasina
The mass protests that swept Bangladesh were primarily directed against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Student demonstrators, who drove the nationwide movement, subsequently nominated Yunus as their preferred choice to lead the caretaker administration.
At the time of the announcement, Yunus was in Paris. Bangladeshi media reported that he had accepted the position and was expected to return to Dhaka shortly.
Student Leaders Back the Decision
Student protest leaders expressed satisfaction with the appointment. After the announcement was made following the conference at the presidential house, they left the venue shortly after midnight, signalling their endorsement of the choice.
Who Is Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work in microfinance and his founding of Grameen Bank, a model that has helped lift millions out of poverty by extending small loans to the poor. His global reputation for integrity and his perceived political neutrality made him an acceptable figure to the broad coalition of stakeholders involved in Bangladesh's transition.
His appointment is widely seen as aimed at returning stability to a country that had experienced some of its worst political violence in decades. Yunus is expected to oversee a caretaker administration and guide Bangladesh toward fresh parliamentary elections.
Further details on the composition of the interim government and the timeline of Yunus's return to Bangladesh are expected to follow.
