Bangladesh PM resigns, flees as protesters storm residence

Bangladesh Prime Minister 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 Hasina, 76, had left the country, adding that an interim government would be formed.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Waker’s announcement comes after more than 90 people were killed on Sunday, the bloodiest day of violence during anti-government demonstrations since July.

“I take full responsibility,” the general, dressed in military fatigues and a cap, said, though it was not immediately clear whether he would lead an interim government.

Waker added: “We will form an interim government.

“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 that after my speech the situation will improve.”

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

Waker is a career infantry officer who spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two terms as a United Nations peacekeeper and in the prime minister’s office.

“If the situation improves, there is no need for an emergency,” he said, promising that the new authorities would “prosecute all murders” after weeks of deadly protests.

“Now the students’ job is to stay calm and help us,” Waker was quoted as saying by AFP.

Decorated with medal ribbons on his green uniform, the mild-mannered, bespectacled officer was appointed earlier this year as chief of the army staff, the highest post in the military.

Bangladesh is a country in South Asia with a population of 171.2 million (2022).

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