Army Establishes Temporary Government as Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Escapes
In a seismic shift that has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh's political landscape, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down from her position and left the country, abruptly ending her nearly two-decade-long tenure. This dramatic turn of events follows weeks of intense public demonstrations that have gripped the nation, resulting in a staggering death toll of over 300 people.
The situation reached a critical juncture on Sunday night when violence escalated, claiming nearly 100 lives and prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew. Despite this measure, the capital city of Dhaka saw an unprecedented surge of protesters on Monday. Throngs of citizens converged on the prime minister's palace, effectively preventing Hasina from addressing the nation.
As news of Hasina's departure spread, the mood on the streets transformed from one of defiance to jubilation. Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting for Al Jazeera from Shahbagh Square—the epicenter of the student protests that ignited this movement—described the scene as unprecedented. "Everybody is celebrating, not just students—people from all walks of life. They said this had to happen; there was nothing we could say, democracy was squeezed, and now we are free," Chowdhury reported.
In response to the power vacuum, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation, announcing the formation of an interim government. He called for calm and urged citizens to place their trust in the military, promising to restore peace and ensure justice for those who lost their lives during the protests.
"We have invited representatives from all major political parties, and they have accepted our invitation and committed to collaborating with us," the general stated, emphasizing the inclusive approach of the transitional period.
However, the specter of Bangladesh's tumultuous history looms large. The country endured prolonged periods of military rule in the 1970s and 1980s following its hard-fought independence from Pakistan in 1971. This historical context has left many Bangladeshis wary of potential military intervention.
Irene Khan, a UN special rapporteur, acknowledged the challenging road ahead for the military. "We are all hoping that the transition will be peaceful and that there will be accountability for all the human rights violations that have taken place," Khan told Al Jazeera.
The roots of this upheaval can be traced back to a controversial government job quota scheme that sparked initial protests a month ago. The government's heavy-handed response, which included shutting down universities and deploying police and military forces to quell the demonstrations, only served to fuel the growing discontent.
Even after the country's highest court ruled to significantly reduce the contested quotas from 30 percent to 5 percent, with an additional 3 percent allocated for relatives of veterans, the protests continued to gain momentum. What began as a specific grievance evolved into a nationwide uprising demanding Hasina's resignation and accountability for the lives lost during the unrest.
Thomas Kean, Senior Consultant and Bangladesh expert at Crisis Group, sees potential for positive change amidst the turmoil. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he suggested that the current crisis presents "an opportunity to put Bangladesh back on the path of genuine democracy and move beyond the hyper-partisan, winner-takes-all electoral dynamics that have caused so much damage over the past three decades."
As Bangladesh stands at this critical juncture, the world watches with bated breath. The actions of the interim government and the military in the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether this moment of upheaval can indeed lead to a more democratic and stable future for the nation.
The task ahead is monumental. As Irene Khan aptly put it, "Bangladesh has, of course, an enormous task ahead. It is not the poster child of sustainable development anymore. The previous government had driven this country into despair, and there will be a lot of hard work to do to build it up. But most of all, I think it's extremely important that the army respect human rights."
As the dust settles on this tumultuous chapter in Bangladesh's history, the hope for a peaceful transition and the restoration of democratic norms remains at the forefront of both national and international concerns. The coming days will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of this South Asian nation as it navigates through uncharted political waters.