Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus sworn in, seeks peace and prepares for elections

The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace and preparing for elections after weeks of violence prompted former PM Hasina to step down

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Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus (middle) is sworn in as the chief adviser of the new interim government of Bangladesh in Dhaka. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:01am, 9 Aug 2024Updated: 10:18am, 9 Aug 2024

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office as head of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday after an uprising prompted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to step down and flee to India.

The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections following weeks of violence in which student activists led an uprising against what was considered Hasina’s increasingly autocratic 15-year rule.

Bangladesh’s figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus for his role as chief adviser, which is the equivalent to a prime minister, in presence of foreign diplomats, civil society members, top businessmen and members of the former opposition party at the presidential palace in Dhaka. No representatives of Hasina’s party were present.

Sixteen other people have been included in the interim Cabinet with members drawn mainly from civil society and including two of the student protest leaders.

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Bangladesh’s interim government pushes peace and preparation for fresh elections

Hasina quit on Monday after several chaotic weeks that began in July with protests against a quota system for government jobs that critics said favoured people with connections to Hasina’s party.