 "Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will lead the interim government in the country. AP")
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday (August 6) was appointed to lead Bangladesh’s interim government. The decision was announced by Joynal Abedin, the press secretary to President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
This happened a meeting that included military chiefs, student protest organisers, prominent business leaders, and civil society members.
Yunus has to lead the interim government because Bangladesh’s longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’ suddenly resigned and fled the country amid widespread protests against her regime.
Yunus will have the title of chief advisor, according to Students Against Discrimination (SAD) leader Nahid Islam.
Here’s a look at the three crisis on Yunus’ hands as the leader of the interim government:
Power vacuum
After Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, the president dissolved Parliament. That happened on August 6. Many Awami League leaders, fearing for their lives, also fled elsewhere with their families. This has created a political power vacuum in the country. Yunus will have to quickly select a group of ministers to run the country.
This is unlikely to be easy. He might not have a free-hand in selecting his Cabinet. Nahid Islam, a key organiser of the protests, has said protesters would propose more names for the Cabinet.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThreat from the military
In light of the growing protests and unrest in the country, it was the military chief, General Zaker-uz-Zaman who issued an ultimatum to Hasina, demanding that she leave the country. On Monday (August 5) he had also taken temporary control while a new government was formed.
The army has taken a significant role in stabilising the country, but there are concerns about the military’s involvement in governance, especially given the atrocities under military rule in Bangladesh in the past.
Communal tensions
The Hindu minority and other targeted groups face heightened fear and insecurity. Ensuring their protection and fostering social reconciliation will be crucial for Yunus as he works to stabilise the nation and hand over power to the nexxt government.
With inputs from agencies