In a dramatic turn of events, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has returned to Bangladesh to take charge of an interim government, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid escalating protests.
Yunus, 84, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in microfinance through Grameen Bank, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday, marking the beginning of what could be a pivotal chapter in the nation’s history.
Yunus, who had been in Paris for the Olympic Games, returned to Bangladesh via Dubai.
His Emirates flight (EK-582) touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:10 p.m. local time, where he was greeted by a large contingent including Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, senior government officials, student leaders, and members of civil society.
His arrival was met with a sense of cautious optimism, as many hope his leadership will guide the country through its current political crisis.
The Nobel laureate's return follows the dissolution of parliament by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday, paving the way for the formation of an interim government.
Yunus, widely respected for his contributions to poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship, was named head of the interim government after being proposed for the role by coordinators of the student movement that played a significant role in toppling Hasina’s government.
Upon arrival, Yunus was escorted directly to Bangabhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister, where he is expected to begin preparations for leading the country during this transitional period.
The interim government will be responsible for overseeing the upcoming election, intended to transition power to a newly elected government. President Shahabuddin is set to administer the oath of office to Yunus and his cabinet, with the ceremony likely to take place in the evening.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who has been a key figure in the recent developments, hinted that the interim government might initially comprise 15 members.
However, he did not reveal the names of the cabinet members or the exact duration of the interim government’s tenure.
The Army chief expressed hope that normalcy would return to Bangladesh within the next few days, as the situation across the country is gradually stabilising.
Yunus, whose work with Grameen Bank has earned international acclaim, has long been a figure of contention in Bangladeshi politics. His relationship with Sheikh Hasina soured following a series of investigations launched against him by her government after she assumed power in 2008.
The government’s scrutiny of Grameen Bank’s operations in 2011 led to Yunus being removed from his position as managing director, a move widely criticised as politically motivated.
In addition to the professional setbacks, Yunus faced numerous legal challenges under Hasina’s regime. Earlier this year, a court sentenced him to six months in jail on charges of labor law violations, further straining his relationship with the government.
Many believe that Hasina’s animosity towards Yunus intensified after he announced his intention to form a political party in 2007, during a period when a military-backed government was in control and Hasina was imprisoned.
Despite the turbulent relationship between the two, Yunus has maintained a commitment to his vision of social and economic reform in Bangladesh. Upon his return, he issued a statement congratulating the student leaders for their role in what he termed the “Second Victory Day,” referring to the ousting of Hasina. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid violence, emphasising the importance of unity in rebuilding the nation.
“Violence is our enemy,” Yunus said in his statement. “ If we take the path of violence, everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm.”
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