In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin has dissolved parliament, setting the stage for an interim government following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The announcement came after a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising, which led to widespread unrest across the country.
The presidential office confirmed that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Hasina’s long-time rival, has been released from house arrest. This move follows intense protests demanding the dissolution of parliament and an end to Hasina’s rule.
The decision to dissolve parliament was made after consultations with military leaders, political party heads, student leaders, and civil society representatives. The military is now in control, marking the end of Hasina’s 15-year rule. Hasina, who had been in power since 2009, faced accusations of election rigging in January and was ultimately forced to flee Bangladesh by helicopter as protests intensified.
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman declared on state television that Hasina’s resignation had paved the way for a caretaker government. He urged an end to the violence, which has left hundreds dead and significantly impacted the economy. General Waker’s announcement led to mass celebrations in Dhaka, with millions taking to the streets. Many compared the events to the 1971 independence war, celebrating what they saw as liberation from a dictatorship.
However, the celebrations were marred by chaos and anger. Police reported at least 66 deaths as mobs targeted Hasina’s allies, storming parliament, setting fire to TV stations, and vandalizing statues of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The violence also extended to offices of Hasina’s Awami League, which were torched and looted.
The unrest began as protests against civil service job quotas but quickly escalated into broader demands for Hasina’s resignation. Her administration was accused by rights groups of using state power to suppress dissent and commit extrajudicial killings. According to AFP, at least 366 people have died in the violence that started in early July.
The military has announced the lifting of a curfew and the formation of an interim government, though it remains unclear who will lead it. Media reports suggest Hasina may have arrived at a military airbase near New Delhi, with speculation about her plans to transit to London. However, calls for a UN-led investigation into the violence have cast uncertainty over her future movements.
Michael Kugelman from the Wilson Center warned that Hasina’s departure could create a significant political vacuum. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell have emphasized the need for a “peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition.” The UK and the US have urged calm as the situation continues to unfold.
