The government of Bangladesh has collapsed, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with her sister Sheikh Rehana, fled the country aboard a military helicopter on August 5 amid escalating anti-government protests.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced, “Sheikh Hasina has stepped down as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.”
"An interim government will be constituted, and all murders will be investigated during this period of political change. Have trust in the army to help us through this transition; we've spoken with representatives of several political parties," he said.
Since early July, over 300 people have died when young college students took to the streets to protest the public employment quota system. On August 5 alone, at least 90 more people were killed in clashes between police and demonstrators.
These demonstrations have been some of the most violent in the country’s history since its independence in 1971.
General Zaman addressed the nation, saying, "To maintain peace and order, I call on the nation to trust me and let’s work together. Please stop fighting and avoid conflict. Together, we have built a beautiful country."
He mentioned holding meetings with leaders of the Jatiya Party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist organization that Hasina had attempted to ban and blamed for the violence.
Afis Nazrul, leftist leader Jonaid Saki, and Dhaka University professor Afis Nazrul were also present at the meeting.
General Zaman stated that further discussions would take place regarding the formation of a provisional government at Bangabhaban, the official residence of the president of Bangladesh. Mohammed Shahabuddin, appointed in 2023 by Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, currently holds this position.
Once more, General Zaman urged students to remain calm during this period of transition.
"We want the murderer Sheikh Hasina to be tried for killing hundreds of students," chanted some protesters on the streets.
Demonstrators stormed the Prime Minister's Residence in Dhaka, the capital city, marking the center of the protests from the beginning.
Local sources claim that Hasina left the country—possibly heading to India—without addressing the nation.
Experts note that Bangladesh's situation has reached a critical point following the events of the past month. Since taking office in 2009, Sheikh Hasina's administration has grown increasingly authoritarian.
Despite opposition from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia who has been imprisoned since 2018 on corruption charges, Hasina was re-elected prime minister in January of last year after the opposition boycotted the election. - With inputs from PIME asianews
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