Bangladesh moves to form interim govt after exit of PM who bowed to protesters

Bangladesh’s Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Monday, August 5, 2024, he would form an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and a cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

“We will form an interim government. The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, and many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence.

“I hope after my speech, the situation will improve,” Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television.

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members — but not Hasina’s Awami League.

Waker is a career infantry officer who has spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two tours as a United Nations peacekeeper as well as in the prime minister’s office.

“If the situation gets better, there is no need for emergency,” he said, vowing the new authorities would “prosecute all murders” following weeks of deadly protests.

“Now the task of the students is to keep calm and help us,” he added.