Dhaka, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus remains precarious as political turmoil, public unrest and tension with military establishment continue to increase.
Yunus was appointed chief advisor shortly after Sheikh Hasina was removed as Prime Minister in August 2024, with the mandate of leading democratic reforms and conducting fair elections in Bangladesh. Yet progress has stalled significantly during his term; Yunus has expressed frustration over lack of consensus between political factions; hinting that his resignation may soon follow. Wikipedia
mint Oak Jazeera
“If I can’t work… I was brought here after a mass uprising to bring change and reform to this country,” Yunus is reported as telling advisors, expressing concerns over his ability to fulfill his mandate amid political gridlock. Deccan Herald AND The Times of India.
Yunus faces additional difficulties due to tensions with the military. An ongoing disagreement regarding humanitarian corridor plans to Myanmar has revealed divisions between his civilian administration and Yunus’s armed forces, prompting concerns for their stability as interim leadership. Al Jazeera/Reuters reports on these developments (+1 each).
Yunus’ advisers have sought to ease speculation regarding his resignation by emphasizing that administration is working hard to overcome obstacles, according to Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud and The Times of India.
Deccan Herald
Bangladesh remains in an unstable political landscape, with opposition parties such as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) calling for elections by December 2025 while Yunus suggested postponing them until 2026 in order to implement necessary reforms.
Economic instability aggravates this situation further. The World Bank recently reduced Bangladesh’s economic growth forecast due to political tension and rising inflation which hit an all-time high of 11.38% during December 2024.
Human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns regarding press freedom under the interim government. Reports show increased harassment and legal actions taken against journalists; over 600 media personnel have been targeted since Yunus took office.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of instability, the international community keeps close watch. A successful path ahead will rely heavily on whether its interim government can successfully promote political consensus, manage civil-military relations and tackle economic and human rights challenges to ensure a smooth transition back to democracy.