In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced on Monday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the capital amidst a wave of intense protests. He declared that the military will form an interim government to manage the country during this turbulent period.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, clad in military fatigues, stated, “I am taking full responsibility,” and outlined the army’s plans for restoring order. “We will form an interim government,” he declared, although the specifics of his role in the caretaker government remain unclear.
The general emphasized the army’s commitment to peace and called upon citizens to cease all violence. “We will return peace to the country. We ask citizens to stop violence. We will investigate all killings that have happened over the past few weeks,” he stated, according to a Reuters report. He revealed that he had initiated talks with major opposition parties and civil society figures but refrained from engaging with Hasina’s Awami League.
Waker-uz-Zaman, a seasoned infantry officer with nearly four decades of military experience, including two stints as a UN peacekeeper and service in the Prime Minister’s office, assured the nation that there was no need for a curfew or any emergency measures. He promised to find a resolution to the crisis by the end of the day.
This announcement marks a significant escalation of the political turmoil in Bangladesh, triggered by widespread discontent and demonstrations. The future of the nation hangs in the balance as the army steps in to manage the unfolding crisis.
