Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus appointed chief advisor

DHAKA: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government on Tuesday following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina fled the country amid violent protests against her administration’s policies.

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The announcement was made by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Yunus’s appointment comes after a series of violent protests erupted over job quota policies that were perceived as favouring allies of Hasina’s ruling party.

The protests have resulted in over 300 deaths and thousands of injuries since July.

With Hasina’s resignation and the subsequent dissolution of the country’s parliament, Bangladesh will now face a significant power vacuum. Muhammad Yunus will need to quickly form a new cabinet. He may encounter challenges from protest leaders who are expected to propose additional candidates for key positions in the interim government.

The military, led by General Waker-uz-Zaman, played a critical role in the recent upheaval, including issuing an ultimatum to Hasina and assuming temporary control. There are concerns about the military’s influence in governance, given the history of military rule in Bangladesh and past atrocities.

The ongoing unrest has worsened communal tensions, particularly affecting minority groups and other targeted communities. Yunus will also need to address these issues, ensuring their protection. Meawhile, he has to work towards social reconciliation as he navigates the country’s political instability.

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Yunus is renowned for founding Grameen Bank and pioneering microcredit. He now faces the daunting task of leading Bangladesh through its current crisis.

His recent legal battles and transition into a leadership role propelled him to the forefront of the Bangladeshi politics, a far cry from his previous focus on poverty alleviation.