Muhammad Yunus, 84, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, was tipped to lead the interim government of his country, Bangladesh. It is now confirmed: the transitional government will be formed « with Yunus as leader », a decision taken following a long meeting, Tuesday August 6, between the President of the Republic, Mohammad Shahabuddin, whose role is largely ceremonial, high dignitaries of the army but also the student leaders of the Students Against Discrimination coalition.
The 84-year-old economist is known for having lifted millions of people out of poverty thanks to his pioneering microfinance bank.
He had earlier indicated that he was ready to take the head of an interim government. “I have always put politics at a distance (…) But today, if it is necessary to act in Bangladesh, for my country, and for the courage of my people then I will do it”, affirmed Muhammad Yunus.
The resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina followed a spike in student protests that began in early July. The protesters were initially reacting to the reinstatement of a 30% employment quota for descendants of veterans of the 1971 war of independence, which they described as a form of political patronage for supporters of the Awami League party. in power.
