Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, aged 84, has returned to Bangladesh to lead an interim government, just days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following a mass student uprising. Yunus, who was appointed by President Mohamed Shahabuddin, is expected to be sworn in today, a significant move as the country grapples with political uncertainty.
Before leaving Paris, where he was receiving medical treatment, Yunus called for calm and urged the public to avoid violence. “Let us make the best use of our new victory,” he stated, emphasizing the need for peace during this transitional period.
Speaking to reporters outside the airport upon his arrival in Bangladesh, Yunus expressed his commitment to resolving the ongoing crisis. “I’m looking forward to going back home and seeing what’s happening there and how we can organize ourselves to get out of the trouble that we’re in,” he said. Yunus, an economist renowned for his work in microfinance, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts to combat poverty through small loans.
The student-led movement that drove Hasina to flee to India has been pushing for an interim government to oversee a transition to democratic elections. President Shahabuddin, who played a crucial role in appointing Yunus, acknowledged the urgency of finalizing the rest of the interim government. Student leader Nahid Islam echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence that the new government would soon be fully formed.
Bangladesh’s military, led by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has been closely involved in the discussions to stabilize the country. General Zaman expressed optimism about the situation, stating that the interim government would likely be sworn in by the end of the day. He added that the country’s condition was gradually improving and expected to return to normal within the next few days.
The return of Yunus to Bangladesh marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape. As the interim government takes shape, there is hope that the country can navigate through the current turmoil and move towards a democratic future.
