Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, flees to India after protesters attack palace
Bangladesh has recently witnessed widespread protests sparked by students seeking the abolition of a controversial job. quota system
In a dramatic turn of events, General Waker-Us-Zaman, who recently took over as Bangladesh’s army chief, has found himself at the center of national attention. Just over a month into his tenure, he announced that PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, with the Prime Minister fleeing the country on Monday amidst escalating unrest.
In a televised address, General Zaman revealed that after consultations with various political factions, it was agreed that an interim government would be established. While the specifics of the army’s involvement remain unclear, Zaman stated, “We will now go to the president of the country, where we will discuss the formation of the interim government, form the interim government, and manage the nation.”
Widespread Protests and Political Unrest
Bangladesh has been gripped by widespread protests and violence since last month, initially sparked by student groups demanding the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. This unrest quickly evolved into a broader movement calling for Hasina’s removal. Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for 15 years and recently secured a fourth consecutive term in January, faced mounting pressure as the death toll from the violence reached nearly 250.
General Zaman, 58, assumed his role as army chief on June 23, with a standard three-year term. Born in Dhaka in 1966, he is married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman, the daughter of former army chief General Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who served from 1997 to 2000. Zaman holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, London, as noted on the Bangladesh Army website.
Before his current position, Zaman served as the Chief of General Staff for just over six months, overseeing military operations, intelligence, UN peacekeeping roles, and budget management. His extensive career, spanning over three decades, includes close collaboration with Hasina as the principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also been instrumental in the modernization efforts of the army.
As the nation faces renewed turmoil, General Zaman has called on army personnel to safeguard the lives, properties, and critical state infrastructure of the people.
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