Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus returned Thursday to Bangladesh to lead an interim government, following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Yunus, 84, landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a flight from Paris and was welcomed by the country’s military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, and other high-ranking military officers. He received a bouquet of flowers from supporters.
He was sworn in as head of the country’s interim government shortly after his return on Thursday. His oath was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, declaring Yunus his chief adviser. The position is said to be equivalent to that of prime minister.
“Today is a glorious day for us,” Yunus told a news conference at the airport. “Bangladesh has created a new victory day. Bangladesh has got a second independence,” said Yunus, who was appointed by the military.
The unrest that led to Sheikh Hasina’s departure began with protests against a government job quota system and expanded into broader opposition to her long tenure, marked by allegations of human rights abuses and election rigging.
More than 300 people died in the initial weeks of the protests.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman said in a televised address Wednesday that those responsible for recent violence will be held accountable.
Yunus is tasked with restoring peace. At a news briefing, Yunus said he will focus on reestablishing order, asking for all violence to end.
"Violence is our enemy. Please don't create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country," Yunus said.
Shahabuddin, who is currently a ceremonial leader, dissolved parliament on Tuesday. This move has paved the way for Yunus to lead the interim government, although the timing of new elections remains uncertain.
Yunus is an economist and banker who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work with microcredit through Grameen Bank. He has been recognized for his efforts in reducing poverty through small loans.
Yunus was acquitted on Wednesday in a case regarding labor law violations where he was sentenced to jail for six months. The case involved a telecommunications company he founded
In his first statement since being appointed, Yunus praised the students for their role in recent protests and urged calm. He stressed the need to avoid further violence and focus on rebuilding the country.
As the country shifted to the interim government, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, held a rally in Dhaka. The rally was led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was recently released from house arrest.
Zia, who served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Her party claims the charges were politically motivated.
Supporters gathered for the BNP rally in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan area hours before it began, reflecting the evolving political situation.
Former Prime Minister Hasina, 76, was reelected for a fourth term in January, but the election faced criticism as flawed. The United States and United Kingdom condemned the results.
On Wednesday, Dhaka was relatively calm following recent violence. Student volunteers were seen cleaning streets and managing traffic, and the police presence was minimal.
Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse, The Associated Press and Reuters.
