**Yunus describes the violence that led to his leadership as a "terrible tornado" and discusses priorities for restoring order and initiating elections.**
**Interim Leader Reflects on Challenges Following Hasina’s Downfall**
**Interim Leader Reflects on Challenges Following Hasina’s Downfall**
**In a candid interview, Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, confronts the aftermath of political turmoil and aims for stability and reform.**
Despite the challenges, Yunus remains optimistic about leading the nation towards a reformed democracy. Following the departure of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year, who fled amid allegations of serious human rights violations, the situation in Bangladesh remains delicate.
In an exclusive interview with BBC, Muhammad Yunus, who was unexpectedly thrust into the role of interim leader, recalls his initial feelings of disbelief at assuming such a significant position. "I was dazzled when asked to take charge," Yunus confessed, emphasizing his lack of experience in governance. Yet, he quickly focused on pressing issues: restoring law and order and addressing a dismal economy.
The former PM, exiled in India under a cloud of criminal accusations, leaves a challenging legacy for Yunus. As reports surface about her party's participation in the upcoming elections, Yunus stated, "It's up to them whether they want to return," asserting that the election commission will ultimately govern the process.
Reflecting on the violent protests that led to Hasina's ousting, Yunus described the current state of the nation as recovering from a "terrible tornado," as he works to stabilize a country once ravaged by years of aggressive rule. With hopes to conduct elections between December 2025 and March 2026, Yunus stresses the importance of swift reforms to ensure fairness in the electoral process. "Reforms can shorten or lengthen the timeline," he explained.
Residents of Dhaka have expressed skepticism about the current safety situation, noting that disorder continues in parts of the city. Yunus acknowledged that while conditions are improving compared to last year’s violence, the journey to stability is ongoing, underscoring, “We are coming from complete disorder.”
Victims of Hasina’s regime have turned their anger into mobilization, demanding legal actions against her. As protests against her political legacy intensify, the interim government faces a growing challenge of maintaining safety as tensions rise between opposing factions.
Despite claims of insecurity from Awami League supporters, Yunus called on them to engage with the proper legal channels instead of voicing grievances in media interviews. This marks a pivotal point as the stability of Yunus's interim government hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, the U.S. decision to cut foreign aid poses additional hurdles for the nation, which sees the potential impacts of reduced assistance as a catalyst for change in fighting corruption, according to Yunus. Preparing for these changes, he states, "When it happens, we will make do."
As Bangladesh navigates its political landscape, the commitment to reform and recovery hangs on the shoulders of Yunus and the interim government, as the specter of Hasina's tumultuous rule lingers.
In an exclusive interview with BBC, Muhammad Yunus, who was unexpectedly thrust into the role of interim leader, recalls his initial feelings of disbelief at assuming such a significant position. "I was dazzled when asked to take charge," Yunus confessed, emphasizing his lack of experience in governance. Yet, he quickly focused on pressing issues: restoring law and order and addressing a dismal economy.
The former PM, exiled in India under a cloud of criminal accusations, leaves a challenging legacy for Yunus. As reports surface about her party's participation in the upcoming elections, Yunus stated, "It's up to them whether they want to return," asserting that the election commission will ultimately govern the process.
Reflecting on the violent protests that led to Hasina's ousting, Yunus described the current state of the nation as recovering from a "terrible tornado," as he works to stabilize a country once ravaged by years of aggressive rule. With hopes to conduct elections between December 2025 and March 2026, Yunus stresses the importance of swift reforms to ensure fairness in the electoral process. "Reforms can shorten or lengthen the timeline," he explained.
Residents of Dhaka have expressed skepticism about the current safety situation, noting that disorder continues in parts of the city. Yunus acknowledged that while conditions are improving compared to last year’s violence, the journey to stability is ongoing, underscoring, “We are coming from complete disorder.”
Victims of Hasina’s regime have turned their anger into mobilization, demanding legal actions against her. As protests against her political legacy intensify, the interim government faces a growing challenge of maintaining safety as tensions rise between opposing factions.
Despite claims of insecurity from Awami League supporters, Yunus called on them to engage with the proper legal channels instead of voicing grievances in media interviews. This marks a pivotal point as the stability of Yunus's interim government hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, the U.S. decision to cut foreign aid poses additional hurdles for the nation, which sees the potential impacts of reduced assistance as a catalyst for change in fighting corruption, according to Yunus. Preparing for these changes, he states, "When it happens, we will make do."
As Bangladesh navigates its political landscape, the commitment to reform and recovery hangs on the shoulders of Yunus and the interim government, as the specter of Hasina's tumultuous rule lingers.
