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Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus Calls for Calm Amid Unrest
In a time of rising tensions, Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus urges citizens to remain calm and united. Discover his call for peace and stability amid the ongoing unrest that challenges the nation’s resilience and unity.
Bangladesh’s New Interim Leader Appeals for Calm Amidst Turmoil
In a significant turn of events, Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s newly appointed interim leader, addressed the nation on Wednesday, calling for tranquility and cooperation among all parties. His plea comes in the wake of weeks of violent unrest that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, prompting the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently fled to India.
Yunus, a renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was in Paris to observe the Olympics when he was designated as the interim leader after extensive discussions among civic leaders, military officials, and the student activists who spearheaded the protests against Hasina’s increasingly autocratic regime.
Speaking publicly for the first time in Paris before his return to Bangladesh, Yunus expressed his congratulations to the student protesters, stating that their efforts had made “our second Victory Day possible.” He urged them to maintain peaceful demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of non-violence. “Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and prepare to rebuild our country,” Yunus implored.
According to General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of the Bangladeshi military, Yunus is set to be sworn in as interim leader on Thursday evening. The military chief also assured that those accountable for the violence following Hasina’s resignation would face justice.
Yunus is celebrated for his pioneering work in developing microcredit markets, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. As he prepared to return home, he expressed eagerness to assess the situation in Bangladesh, stating, “I’m looking forward to going back home and witnessing what’s happening there, and how we can organize ourselves to navigate out of the challenges we are facing.”
When questioned about the timeline for upcoming elections, Yunus raised his hands to indicate uncertainty, remarking, “I’ll go and talk to them. I’m just entering this whole area.”