'No change without election', says Nobel laureate Yunus after nod to lead interim govt

Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has said there would be no change in the country without an election.

The interim government has been formed in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the premier on Monday and fled the country for her life after weeks of protest against her 15-year rule. The weeks of protests climaxed on Sunday when nearly 100 people were killed.

Following Hasina’s flight, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced she had resigned and that an interim government would be formed and elections would be held in the due course of time. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been roped in to run the interim government.

‘Lasting peace will only come from election’

Accepting the role as the head of the interim government, Yunus has said it is only the beginning.

Yunus further said that lasting peace will only come with election.

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“I am honoured by the trust of the protesters who wish for me to lead the interim government. If action is needed in Bangladesh, for my country and for the courage of my people, then I will take it. The interim government is only the beginning. Lasting peace will only come with free elections. Without elections, there will be no change,” said Yunus to AFP.

Yunus further said that the young people of the country who took to the streets against Hasina had made Bangladesh proud.

Yunus said, “Youth have voiced their need for change in our country. The prime minister heard them by leaving the country. This was a very important first step taken yesterday. The courage of this youth is boundless. They have made Bangladesh proud and shown the world our nation’s determination against injustice.”

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Previously, Yunus had said to the French daily Le Figaro that he wanted to stay “out of politics” but could lead the government if circumstances “require it”.