Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh to lead a new interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid student protests. The protesters supported Yunus, who arrived in Dhaka following medical treatment in Paris. He expressed hope for a better future for the country and stressed the importance of protecting the freedom achieved by the students. Hasina’s party, the Awami League, was not included in the interim government, as violence erupted following her resignation, resulting in the death of around 300 people. Yunus, known for founding a bank to fight poverty with small loans, was set to be sworn in as chief of a team of advisers. Hasina’s sudden departure after winning a fourth term in January sparked joy and violence among the citizens. The student-led movement that led to her resignation originated from protests against job quotas and economic hardships, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The BNP, the main opposition party, boycotted elections due to the arrest of its leaders. Amid the turmoil, Yunus called for unity and cooperation among government officials and defense chiefs. Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia, Hasina’s rival and BNP leader, urged calm and an end to violence while demanding elections within three months. The economic challenges faced by Bangladesh, including inflation and unemployment, led the government to seek a loan from the IMF.
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