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News18
25-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Why Is Muhammad Yunus Threatening To Resign? What Does This Mean For Bangladesh?
Last Updated: Muhammad Yunus has reportedly told advisers what was the point of being the chief advisor if he cannot function properly amidst friction with army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman A closed-door meeting between Bangladesh's interim leader and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus and the chiefs of the country's armed forces has been described as an intensifying power struggle in Dhaka. Bangladeshi media reports suggest that a 'cold war" between Yunus and the armed forces have begun, which threaten the future of the chief advisor. Yunus took charge after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted after a mass uprising in August 2024. In fact, there are reports that Yunus is considering stepping down. However, following another cabinet meeting on May 24, acting head of the planning ministry, Wahiduddin Mahmud, told media, that Yunus is 'staying with us". Let us understand the current political crisis in Bangladesh and what it would mean for the country's so-called democracy. Why Is Yunus Threatening To Resign? A Bangladeshi newspaper, 'Prothom Alo', reported that Yunus told advisers in the meeting 'what is the point of being the chief advisor if he cannot function properly?" Following this, National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, who until recently was a part of Yunus' Cabinet, met with him at his official residence. 'We have been hearing news of Sir's (Yunus) resignation… He (Yunus) said he is thinking about it. He feels that the situation is such that he cannot work," Islam told the BBC Bangla after the meeting. Since the ouster of Hasina, the Bangladesh Army has remained in control of the country. Their continued presence was necessitated by the collapse of law and order during the mass protests, including a nationwide police strike that left many stations abandoned and public order in disarray. Though the police resumed operations in mid-August, the army remained active as part of civil-miltiary consensus. Last week, Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman urged that the elections be held in December this year, warning that prolonged deployment of the army for civil duties could hamper country's defence. The Daily Star reported that General Zaman told a high-level gathering at Dhaka Cantonment that Bangladesh needs 'political stability", which would be only possible 'through an elected government, not by unelected decision-makers." Officers from across the country and at Bangladeshi UN missions reportedly joined the event – a show of unity and resolve. But Yunus has promised that polls will be held by June 2026. Meanwhile, a proposed humanitarian corridor into Myanmar's Rakhine State has also become a bone of contention between Yunus and the military. Zaman has reportedly opposed to key initiative, and said: 'There will be no corridor. The sovereignty of Bangladesh is not negotiable." He warned that any such move could drag Bangladesh into a dangerous proxy conflict. 'Only a political government elected by the people can make such decisions," he said, as quoted by The Daily Star. The army chief has also raised concern regarding the potential foreign management of Bangladesh's main seaport, Chittagong Port, and the launch of Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, which he said could compromise national security. Another sticking point between Yunus and Zaman is the appointment of former diplomat Khalilur Rahman, as Bangladesh's National Security Adviser, a position created by Yunus to offset the military's control of security matters. Tension With Political Parties? The supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party, has demanded that Yunus fixes an election date, preferably in December. 'If the government fails to meet public expectations, it will be difficult for the BNP to continue extending its support," senior BNP leader Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain said. The National Citizen Party (NCP) – a student-led party formed earlier this year – and several other political groups argue that sweeping reforms and the prosecution of former Awami League (AL) leaders must precede any election. Meanwhile, the BNP has launched protests and other demands including declaring its candidate Ishraque Hossain as the rightful winner of the disputed 2020 mayoral polls. It was alleged that the polls on February 1, 2020 were rigged by Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, however, told Al Jazeera that his party never wanted Yunus to resign. 'Nobody asked for his resignation, and we do not want him to do so," he stated. What Next For Bangladesh? Political analyst Rezaul Karim Rony told Al Jazeera that Yunus resignation reflect the weakening of unity that was formed around the post-uprising. NCP's Nahid Islam, however, believes there is a conspiracy to 'sabotage the democratic transition and stage another 1/11-style arrangement." top videos View all On January 11, 2007, the military-backed caretaker government took control of Bangladesh amid political chaos and ruled for two years, suspending democratic processes. It's time to see whether Muhammad Yunus can stand firm and forge a new consensus to lead Bangladesh through its second transition or he will quit. First Published: News explainers Why Is Muhammad Yunus Threatening To Resign? What Does This Mean For Bangladesh?
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Is Yunus flexing street power to counter Bangladesh army chief's ultimatum?
Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, stung by army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman's stern instructions to hold early elections, is now playing the victim to rally his supporters on the streets — an attempt to retain Thursday, Nahid Islam, Yunus's close lieutenant who leads the nascent National Citizens Party, told reporters that Yunus had expressed his desire to resign. "After what happened on Wednesday, Dr Yunus feels he cannot continue as chief adviser of the interim government,' he said. However, as of now, there has been no indication of the Nobel laureate doing anything like March in MayOn the contrary, his supporters are getting ready to fight on all fronts - in the streets, on social media, and on the global stage - to save the Yunus regime. While many of his detractors compared this to Dharmendra's suicide threat in the film Sholay, his supporters announced a 'March for Yunus' at Dhaka's Shahbagh on Saturday. Posters around the city called on people to join the march with slogans like "Keep Yunus in power for five years' and 'Reforms first, elections later'.Shahbagh is a popular protest spot in Dhaka, made famous by the 2013-14 rallies demanding punishment for the 1971 war criminals — Islamist radical leaders who supported the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. But now these leaders are the strongest backers of Muhammad Yunus's interim regime, trying to use him as a front to pursue their agenda of turning Bangladesh into a theocracy. They are calling for the abrogation of the 1972 secular Constitution by announcing the July Declaration, a proclamation that could be followed by toppling President Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu and possibly replacing him with critics allege that he intends to be president until his death, like North Korea's Kim Jong promises to turn Bangladesh into another Singapore — but only if he continues to rule without being elected. His backers in the West, who attacked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for 'murdering' democracy, now seem to have no problem with an unelected leader blocking elections with all possible excuses. This is only because he seems to be playing along with their strategic agendas, such as the proposed UN-US Rakhine Waker, Major ChallengeOn Wednesday, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman rubbished Yunus's reform agenda and called for elections by December. He also insisted that the unelected interim government not take any important decisions that could impact stability and Bangladesh's sovereignty, leaving such issues to an elected government in the say General Waker's Wednesday speech was the "first major challenge" to Yunus's authority and a direct riposte to his unconcealed desire to stay in power without facing army chief has time and again made it clear that he is against a military takeover. All he expects of Yunus is to hold 'free, fair, and inclusive elections' to ensure a smooth, peaceful transition of power to an elected dispensation, after which the army can go back to the barracks. But on Wednesday, he also made it clear that the army will no longer tolerate mobocracy and anarchy, any interference in military matters by the interim government, and any attempt to bypass the military in decisions crucial for Bangladesh's sovereignty and stability. The General insisted that military leadership be consulted in all security and strategic matters and nothing be done 'behind its back'.advertisementOn Friday, Yunus looked to his supporters, especially radical Islamist groups like the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, capable of mobilising large bands of students from madrassas, and even criminals from Dhaka's the same time, leaflets allegedly circulated by junior commanders in the army attacked the unelected interim government, blaming it for betraying the spirit of the pro-democracy agitations last year. "No longer will the military, the defenders of the nation, tolerate any mass vendetta campaign that is ripping the country apart and taking it towards chaos and anarchy," said one such SmokeIn the meantime, Yunus supporters were active on social media, trying to float new narratives in defence of the interim government. Yunus's special adviser, Faiz Tayeb, wrote on Facebook, "The army should stop interfering in politics and be mindful of the civilised norms," arguing for Yunus's continued stay in power to implement important colleague in his council of advisers, Syeda Rizwana, contested General Waker's argument that the interim government was put in place to conduct free and fair elections, saying that bringing about reforms and getting justice for 'victims of fascism' was as much part of their agenda as holding the elections. Again, a case of shifting the army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan warned against 'any repeat of 1/11', a reference to the takeover of the government by a military-backed caretaker in 2006. Bhuiyan, who played an important role in motivating officers to avoid the suppression of last year's anti-Hasina agitation, said in his brief post that the army should avoid getting entangled in any "unconstitutional act" that would only undermine its institutional close to General Waker say that Bhuiyan is missing the wood for the trees because the present army chief is actually trying to restore democracy through participatory elections, unlike Yunus. In fact, Bhuiyan's reference to 1/11 brings back memories of Muhammad Yunus's first attempt to grab power with military backing when he unsuccessfully tried to float a new political party that some derisively referred to as the "King's party". Back then, the military-backed caretaker again tried to extend his tenure by avoiding the constitutional task of conducting elections. Finally, then-army chief General Moeen Uddin Ahmed succumbed to global pressure and organised polls that were swept by Hasina's Awami Nobel laureate's king-sized political ambitions are well known, but he lacks the capacity and patience for establishing a political party and carrying it to power through elections. And what was so far unknown to many, including his admirers, was the extent to which he could and would go to hang on to power. In the Bengali countryside, they speak of people who want to bathe without getting wet — Yunus clearly fits that bill.(Subir Bhaumik is a former BBC and Reuters correspondent and author who has worked in Bangladesh as a senior editor with expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Must Watch
Times of Oman
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Bangladesh interim government bans Awami League
Dhaka : Bangladesh interim government on Saturday has taken a decision to ban Awami League, the oldest political party in the country. The press release further clarified that the decision was made to safeguard national security and sovereignty. "The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," the statement said. Several political parties and groups in Bangladesh, including the National Citizens Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami and others, are protesting by surrounding the residence of Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to the interim government, demanding a ban on the Awami League. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a mass uprising on August 5 last year. She is currently in exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Almost all Awami League leaders and workers are currently in hiding. Although the party's veteran leader, former President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, is under the radar, he flew to Bangkok with his wife and brother-in-law early Thursday morning. The protest, which began at 10 pm on Thursday in front of the Jamuna, the residence of the interim government's Chief Adviser, demanding a ban on the Awami League, is still ongoing. NCP's convener, Nahid Islam, said, "The first responsibility of the interim government was to ban the Awami League. We have made that demand both inside and outside the government. But today, nine months later, we have had to take to the streets again to ban the Awami League."
CNA
09-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Thousands rally in Bangladesh seeking ban on former PM's party
DHAKA: Thousands of people rallied on Friday (May 9) outside the residence of Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, demanding he ban the political party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus, 84, has led an interim government since Hasina was overthrown by student-led mass protests in August 2024 and fled into exile as crowds stormed her palace. Friday's rally came after the sudden departure of Abdul Hamid, a former leader of Hasina's Awami League party, from Bangladesh early on Thursday. A crowd, mainly made up of young people, had started gathering outside Yunus' residence on Thursday night. Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organiser of the newly formed National Citizen's Party, said the demonstration would continue until their demands were met. "Sheikh Hasina robbed the people of Bangladesh of their democratic rights. She manipulated the system to prevent any real opposition from participating in the election," Kamrul said. "We saw Abdul Hamid leave the country safely. The actions of certain advisers are highly suspicious. The delay in justice appears to be part of a broader plan to bring back the fallen dictator and her party," he added. Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India and has defied an arrest warrant from Dhaka over charges of crimes against humanity. According to the United Nations, up to 1,400 protesters died in July when Hasina's government launched a brutal crackdown on the opposition, casualties for which she and Hamid are being investigated. At least three police officers responsible for overseeing airport arrivals and departures have been dismissed for negligence, according to officials, after Hamid's departure. While citizens are generally barred from assembling outside the chief adviser's residence, the student demonstrators were allowed through. The government said on Friday it was seriously considering the demand raised by various quarters to ban the Awami League.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bangladesh: dynastic politics and newly-founded NCP
On February 28, history was made in Bangladesh when student activists who spearheaded a movement against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a new political party – the National Citizens Party (NCP). The Monsoon Revolution, led by these students, pledged to end dynastic politics and uphold the key principles of the 1971 liberation war, namely equality, human dignity and social justice. Dynastic politics is common in almost all South Asian countries, but it is in Bangladesh where students formed a political party to end the two-party system, dominated by Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Daily Star, a renowned newspaper of Bangladesh, has quoted Akhter Hossain, member secretary of NCP, as saying: "We, the leaders and activists of the NCP, are committed to building a Bangladesh of equality, human dignity, and social justice as envisioned in 1971. NCP will continue to work to build that Bangladesh, and we have many proposals for the whole of Bengal, to see Bangladesh as a country that can stand tall in the world." He further emphasised commitment to promoting middle-class politics in Bangladesh, steering clear of the traditional right-left divide. Will the NCP, led by students, succeed in bringing qualitative change to Bangladesh, ending dynastic politics, and transforming the country into a democratic and progressive state? Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old Sociology student from Dhaka University and the icon of the Monsoon Revolution formed the NCP along with his colleagues. After resigning from the cabinet of caretaker Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, a clear-headed Islam is determined about contesting the general elections scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026. Can other South Asian nations, entrenched in dynastic politics, draw lessons from the NCP? How did the student community of Bangladesh act as an agent of change, succeeding in marginalising both the BNP and AL? Recently, General Waker Uz Zaman, Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army, speaking at an event in Dhaka, warned against internal divisions within the country. He blamed infighting among stakeholders of the interim regime for the deteriorating law and order situation and expressed anguish over the circumstances that had emerged since August. He advised people to "forget all differences, all evil thoughts, [and] work towards the uplift of the country and national integration. If you can't move beyond your differences, and continue meddling and fighting among yourselves, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk." It is notable that when, on August 5, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, the Army Chief intended to take over but was restrained by the students who revolted against any military intervention. Nahid Islam and other student leaders approached Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, who was in France, to take over the government. With deep-rooted polarisation in Bangladesh and a political vacuum following the regime change, the launch of the NCP will impact the country's political landscape. Not only the AL but also the BNP and Jamaat-i-Islami will struggle against a youth-led political force with clear objectives. Breaking the established political culture that benefited elites and patronised dynastic control will be a challenge. However, it seems the NCP has done its homework on how to participate in elections and challenge traditional political parties. If the AL and BNP, whether in power or in the opposition, had focused on resolving public issues and avoided looting national wealth, the NCP wouldn't have found political space. The League's dictatorial style of governance and the BNP's corrupt practices eroded public trust in both parties and enabled the NCP to make inroads. Ending dynastic politics in Bangladesh and accomplishing NCP's vision requires fulfilling three major conditions. First, unity of purpose and gaining support from the common people is essential in transforming the NCP's vision into reality. In the past, several efforts by the student community to pursue non-traditional politics failed due to a lack of unity, making alternative leadership difficult. This time, however, it's different. The core of student leadership, led by Nahid Islam and others, is determined and will not give up their struggle for a sovereign and prosperous Bangladesh. The NCP's slogan of a 'Second Republic' appeals to the people of Bangladesh. According to the aforementioned student leadership, the objectives that led to the emergence of the 'First Republic' have failed. The Guardian, in its report of March 5, noted: "Speaking at the party's launch, the newly appointed NCP leaders said their intention was nothing short of building a new Bangladesh, what they are calling a 'Second Republic'." Among their ambitious pledges, they are creating an entirely new political system and rewriting the constitution, arguing that Bangladesh has never truly been free or democratic since independence in 1971. Nahid Islam emphasised, "It's important we have a voice in the development of a new democratic Bangladesh. There is huge demand among the young people of this country for a political party which represents their views and demands. We were also worried that the fall of Hasina meant there was a power vacuum in the election, which would be problematic for the democratic process." Secondly, in its proposed 'Second Republic', NCP leaders intend to focus on justice, accountability, good governance and rule of law. Previous regimes since 1971 failed to meet the aspirations of the people due to dynastic politics, corruption and nepotism. It remains to be seen how the NCP, if voted to power, will formulate a new constitution. According to Nahid Islam, "rewriting the constitution would be their primary focus, arguing that the current version – written after independence in 1971 and amended multiple times, including by Hasina – was not fit for purpose." The NCP also plans to hold local government elections to empower people at the grassroots level and include them in the political process. Finally, transforming from a revolutionary movement to a democratic force, the NCP will face an uphill battle in bringing qualitative change. Forces in power since 1971 will not abandon their privilege that easily. However, the will to change Bangladesh for the better is a driving force for the NCP. Pakistan could certainly learn from the Monsoon Revolution and the role of student community in this regard.
