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Upon his return to Bangladesh in August, Muhammad Yunus encountered a country grappling with turmoil. The streets bore the marks of violence, with an alarming number of over 1,000 protesters, including children, having lost their lives in the clashes with law enforcement.
This unrest followed Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt departure from power, a result of a student-led uprising after 15 years of her authoritarian rule. Reports indicate she fled in a helicopter as enraged civilians descended upon her residence, seeking justice for her government’s excesses.
At the age of 84, Yunus, a Nobel laureate renowned for his groundbreaking work in microfinance, had distanced himself from political pursuits. For years, he had been subjected to severe hostility and persecution orchestrated by Hasina, who once viewed him as a potential rival. Residing in the United States for a significant period, he felt called to action when the student protestors urged him to assume leadership of an interim government aimed at reinstating democratic practices in Bangladesh.
“The damage she had done was monumental,” Yunus told a reporter, reflecting on the dire state of the nation. “It was a completely devastated country, like another Gaza, except it wasn’t buildings that had been destroyed; it was whole institutions, policies, people, and international relationships.”
Hasina’s administration was overshadowed by allegations of oppression, violence, and deep-rooted corruption. The situation exploded into chaos over July and August, culminating in the deaths of more than 1,400 individuals during protests aimed at denouncing her regime, with the United Nations suggesting these actions may constitute a “crime against humanity.” Hasina, however, has consistently refuted claims of excessive police force.
Yunus’s reintegration into the political landscape was seen as a potential beacon of hope. In the half-year since he assumed control, there have been significant shifts. High-ranking police officials no longer shielded by Hasina are facing prosecution for extrajudicial killings, and sites of alleged torture have been dismantled. Furthermore, Yunus has announced the establishment of human rights commissions and indicated that Hasina will confront numerous charges upon her return to Bangladesh. He has committed to overseeing free and fair elections, tentatively scheduled between December of this year and March 2026, before resigning from his position.
Despite Yunus’s popularity, there is a palpable tension regarding his governance capability and the timeline for reforms. Political entities, particularly the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), are pressuring him for urgency in organizing elections, while student leaders have launched their own political organization.
Amir Chowdhury, a senior figure within the BNP, remarked on the necessity of timely elections, stating, “This government was only meant as an interim measure. Right now, nobody is accountable on a day-to-day basis, and they don’t have the political weight, mandate, or mobilization to carry out reforms.”
Declining Law and Order
The current public sentiment reflects serious concerns about safety, especially as police, facing backlash and legal repercussions for their previous actions, are hesitating to re-engage. There is growing gang violence in Dhaka, with marginalized communities facing increased harassment. Demonstrators have recently burned an effigy of the home affairs minister, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, demanding his resignation due to his inability to curb the rising crime wave.
Yunus dismissed claims of deteriorating safety under his leadership, yet others warn that the precarious security situation risks spiraling out of control. Nahid Islam, a prominent student leader now heading the National Citizens party, declared that holding legitimate elections amid current chaos would be “impossible.”
In a recent address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of the army who played a significant role in Hasina’s ousting, declared the country in a “state of anarchy.” He cautioned that if existing divisions persisted, they could jeopardize the nation’s independence and sovereignty.
Despite Yunus asserting a solid rapport with the military leadership, the general’s remarks were interpreted by some as a critique of his rule and an implicit warning of a possible military intervention.
Yunus remained insistent that the issues facing Bangladesh are a direct result of Hasina’s mismanagement, asserting, “Hasina’s regime wasn’t a government; it was a family of bandits.” He described how systemic corruption undermined institutions and created conditions where accountability was virtually nonexistent.
Significant financial corruption during Hasina’s term has severely impacted the banking system and hampered economic stability. A notable figure embroiled in these scandals is her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour MP, who recently faced scrutiny over her ties to the controversial regime and resigned from her position as Treasury Minister amid allegations of corruption.
International efforts are underway to recover substantial funds, estimated at over $17 billion, reportedly siphoned off by Hasina’s allies. However, the prospects for retrieving these assets are waning.
“Banks were given full license to loot people’s money, with active participation from the government,” claimed Yunus, emphasizing the extent of the corruption under the previous administration.
Moreover, Yunus is facing criticism for his perceived inaction against the resurgent hardline Islamic movements that had been subdued during Hasina’s presidency. As these groups gain momentum, incidents involving violence or the suppression of non-Islamic activities have increased, sowing further discord.
Yunus Courts Trump
Challenges for Yunus extend beyond Bangladesh’s borders, with geopolitical dynamics shifting as Hasina once enjoyed a favorable rapport with India. Now, as she resides in India, the relationship between the two countries has soured, with India accusing Bangladesh of harboring terrorism.
A formal request for Hasina’s extradition to face trial in Bangladesh has been lodged but, as Yunus noted, there has been no response from Indian authorities. He reaffirmed that Hasina would face justice for her actions, potentially even without her presence.
Hasina has not remained silent, openly branding Yunus a “mobster” who is allegedly unleashing chaos upon the nation. Yunus expressed his concerns, stating that allowing Hasina to leverage India as a launchpad for her anti-government narrative poses dangers for Bangladesh’s stability.
In addition to his challenges with regional politics, Yunus faces potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy. With Donald Trump’s return to political prominence, the landscape he navigates could become treacherous. The previous administration under President Biden had bolstered Yunus’s position through political and financial support.
The ramifications of Trump’s cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could be detrimental, particularly as the agency had pledged over $1 billion for Bangladesh’s development. In a recent statement, Trump accused the agency of misusing funds to support a “radical left communist” agenda, lacking substantiation for such assertions.
In a bid to solidify U.S. relations, Yunus has invited Elon Musk, a prominent backer of Trump, to introduce his Starlink satellite service in Bangladesh, with expectations of his visit in April. Yunus hopes to entice Trump by presenting Bangladesh as a lucrative trade and investment opportunity, asserting that he plans to leverage his connections to foster mutual benefits even in a challenging political climate.
“Trump’s a dealmaker, so I say to him: come, do deals with us,” Yunus commented, maintaining optimism that despite potential setbacks, the democratic process would persist in Bangladesh.
Source
www.theguardian.com