Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been named interim head of government after prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. A mass uprising that left hundreds of people dead and pushed the South Asian nation to the brink of chaos.
Joynal Abedin, the press secretary of the country’s figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin, announced early on Wednesday.
This comes following a meeting with military chiefs, organisers of the student protests that ousted Hasina from power, business leaders and members of civil organisations.
Economist and banker Yunus who has always opposed Hasina’s policies is expected to return soon from Paris, where he is advising Olympic organisers.
He received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work developing microcredit markets. Yunus brought thousands out of poverty through Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983. The bank made small loans available for business people who wouldn’t qualify for regular bank loans.
Abedin said other members of the government would be determined following broad discussions. The president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, clearing the way for an interim administration and new elections.
Opposition leader Khaleda Zia, was also released. Zia was an opponent of Hasina who was convicted of corruption charges in 2018.