Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country, according to an announcement made by General Waker-uz-Zaman on Monday. The Bangladeshi army chief stated
in a televised speech that he will form an interim government with military support.
The country has been in turmoil for weeks following protests that began peacefully over the reintroduction of quotas for government jobs but have since escalated into violent clashes. On Sunday, the situation worsened significantly, with at least 90 people reported killed, according to the BBC.
Under mounting pressure to step down, Hasina decided to resign as protesters threatened to storm her residence in Dhaka on Monday. The 76-year-old prime minister left the capital in a helicopter, reportedly heading to the Indian city of Agartala, the BBC reports.
End of a 15-Year Rule
Television footage from local media showed thousands of protesters storming and ransacking the prime minister's palace, carrying out furniture and other items from Hasina's former residence.
In his televised speech, General Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed Hasina's resignation and pledged to ensure "justice" for the people of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina had been in power since 2009. Her latest election victory in 2018 was contested by the opposition and led to deadly protests. Additionally, numerous NGOs have reported democratic backsliding under her rule. Photo by Russell Watkin/Department for International Development, Wikimedia commons.