Bangladesh’s military has taken control of the country following the resignation and flight of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The 76-year-old leader, who had been in power since 2009, fled the country on Monday after mass protests against alleged election rigging and authoritarian rule culminated in widespread unrest.
Mass Protests and Military Intervention
The crisis began in January when Hasina’s government was accused of manipulating election results, leading to growing discontent among the population. Over the past month, millions of Bangladeshis have taken to the streets, demanding Hasina’s resignation. The situation escalated, with security forces clashing with protesters, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress the protests, the movement gained momentum, culminating in Hasina’s flight aboard a helicopter.
On Monday afternoon, Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form a caretaker government. “The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence,” General Waker stated. Shortly after his announcement, jubilant crowds stormed and looted Hasina’s official residence, marking the end of her autocratic rule.
Public Reaction and Continued Unrest
Following the announcement, millions of Bangladeshis flooded the streets of Dhaka, celebrating what they perceived as a liberation from dictatorship. Sazid Ahnaf, a 21-year-old protester, likened the events to the country’s 1971 independence war. “We have been freed from a dictatorship. It’s a Bengal uprising, what we saw in 1971, and now seeing in 2024,” he remarked.
Despite the celebrations, the situation remains volatile. At least 66 people were reported killed on Monday as mobs launched revenge attacks on Hasina’s allies. Protesters stormed parliament, torched TV stations, and destroyed statues of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader. The destruction extended to a museum dedicated to Rahman, symbolizing the depth of public anger against Hasina’s regime.
Political Vacuum and Uncertain Future
With Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh faces a significant political vacuum. General Waker announced that a curfew would be lifted on Tuesday morning and that the military would lead an interim government. President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of prisoners from the protests, including former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia. Zia, aged 78 and in poor health, had been jailed for graft by Hasina in 2018.
The president and army chief met with key opposition leaders late Monday, agreeing to form an interim government. However, it remains unclear if General Waker will lead it. Meanwhile, Hasina’s fate is uncertain. Reports suggest she landed at a military airbase near New Delhi, India, with intentions to transit to London. However, British calls for a UN-led investigation into the violence may hinder her plans.
International and Domestic Reactions
The international community has expressed concern over the developments in Bangladesh. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a “peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition.” European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell echoed this sentiment, while Britain and the United States called for calm.
Bangladesh’s history of political instability and military coups adds to the uncertainty of the current situation. The military declared an emergency in January 2007, leading to a two-year military-backed caretaker government. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, warned that Hasina’s departure leaves a “major vacuum” and that the country is in “uncharted territory.”
As Bangladesh navigates this critical period, the coming days will be crucial in determining the nation’s path forward.
