DHAKA: Jubilant and hopeful, Bangladeshis on Friday welcomed an interim government led by Nobel-winning economist Muhammad Yunus and led by prominent lawyers, academics and student movement leaders who ousted the previous regime.
The new government was sworn in at the presidential palace in Dhaka on Thursday night, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee to neighboring India following nationwide protests. for several weeks and the deadly crackdown on protesters.
“The cruel and senseless regime is no more,” Yunus said in a televised address after President Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in with more than a dozen members of his government. .
He promised that “democracy, justice, human rights, and full freedom of expression without fear will be available to all, regardless of party affiliation.”
The 84-year-old economics professor will lead the country as a “chief adviser” and the title of cabinet adviser instead of a minister.
Among them are Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, senior leaders of Students Against Discrimination, the group that led the protests that ousted Hasina, and civil servants such as former secretary general AF Hassan Ariff. former foreign affairs Touhid Hossain, and Salehuddin Ahmed — economist and economist. former central bank governor.
Also present are Adilur Rahman Khan, a prominent human rights activist, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an award-winning international environmental lawyer, and Asif Nazrul, a scholar, author and law professor in the Dhaka University.
When the new government took office, Bangladeshis were enthusiastic about the appointment and hopeful about the future of their country.
“After the total chaos and the very violent uprising we experienced recently, this is a new movement,” said Gautam Barua, an academic and researcher, according to Arab News.
“I have high hopes, high hopes for this interim government… I think they will make a wonderful difference.”
He was happy to see that the famous lawyer and economist would be the leader.
“This Cabinet, I think, has the best compensation in the country… They are recognized worldwide, and they are recognized locally, in the country,” said Barua.
“The country's economy needs a rope at the moment… It has slowed down a lot under the last government. So, I believe they can build it. They can turn the wheels of the economy.”
There was also pride in the existence of a government full of celebrities and technocrats.
“I think they can make a positive difference for us,” said Mahfuz Kaiser, a student in Dhaka. “Dr. Yunus is a very famous person. He won a Nobel Prize. Bangladesh's first Nobel laureate.”
An economics professor, Yunus is a social entrepreneur and banker who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work on microfinance that helped alleviate poverty in Bangladesh. and was adopted all over the world.
“He will help us rebuild this country,” said Jannatul Ferdous Mawa, who is pursuing a degree in media and participated in the recent protests.
“I think whatever is happening right now is good for us because we are learning something. From this protest, we learned one thing: if we come together, we can rebuild this country.”
Bangladesh's political transition, ending Hasina's 15-year rule, comes after nationwide protests that began in early July against the tenure system. the government, which has been widely criticized for giving power to those with ties to the ruling party.
The protests quickly turned violent as security forces clashed with protesters, killing at least 300 people.
After weeks of deadly clashes and communication breakdowns, the Supreme Court eventually lifted most of the restrictions, but the ruling was followed by a crackdown on protesters.
The arrest of 11,000 rally participants, mostly students, sparked new protests last week and culminated in civil protests that forced Hasina to step down on Monday.
A day later the president dissolved the parliament, clearing the way for the interim government, which will lead new elections.
“A lot is expected from this government because this government is led by Prof. Dr. Yunus won the Nobel Prize. I think everyone is waiting for their work, their development, their vision. He used to say that there are three zeros: zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero carbon. Therefore, I think he will work on these three problems,” said Dr. Rawnak Khan, who teaches anthropology at the University of Dhaka, told Arab News.
“Our institutional infrastructure, the whole thing – we need to build it. The government needs to ensure transparency, accountability. I have very high hopes for this government. Not just mine; I think it belongs to everyone because it is led by Prof. It is Yunus and it depends on his ability to navigate the difficult political environment of Bangladesh.”
