Bangladesh’s Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been selected to lead an interim government following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the presidency announced early Wednesday.
The decision “to form an interim government with Yunus as its chief” was made during a meeting involving President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders, and the heads of the Students Against Discrimination group, according to a statement from Shahabuddin’s press office.
Nahid Islam, a leader of the student group, confirmed the decision to reporters after three hours of discussions at the presidential palace. “The president has asked the people to help ride out the crisis. Quick formation of an interim government is necessary to overcome the crisis,” the president’s office stated.
In response to deadly protests that led to Hasina’s departure, Shahabuddin also dismissed the national police chief and appointed a replacement, his office announced.
Islam described the talks as “fruitful” and noted that the interim government “will be formed within the shortest time” possible.
Muhammad Yunus, who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in microfinance, will now play a crucial role in steering the nation through this transitional period.
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