Bangladesh’s new interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, is sworn in tonight in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s new interim leader, Muhammad Yunuswants to rebuild the country after weeks of violence that left more than 400 dead and forced the Prime Minister to resign before fleeing to India.
Mr. Yunus, winner of the Nobel Prize of Peacewas in Paris for the Olympics when he was named interim leader, following talks between civilian leaders, military chiefs and student activists who led protests against the prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Muhammad Yunus made his first public comments in Paris before boarding a flight to Bangladesh.
He congratulated the student protesters, saying they had made it possible “our second day of victory“, and called on them to remain peaceful. Mr. Yunus also condemned all violence since the resignation of the Head of Government.
“Violence is our enemy. Please do not create more enemies. Be calm and prepare to rebuild the country.“, he added.
Upon his arrival in Dhaka, he greeted the “second independence” from Bangladesh; adding that the country ““A new day of victory has been created.”
Muhammad Yunus make an oath as interim leader this Thursday evening at 8 p.m. (Bangladesh time, 4 p.m. CET), Bangladeshi military chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
The military chief said those responsible for the violence since Ms Hasina’s resignation would be brought to justice.
Asked about the date of the elections, Muhammad Yunus raised his hand, as if to indicate that it was too early to say.I’ll go talk to them. I’m brand new to this area.” he commented.
Who is Muhammad Yunus?
An 84-year-old economist and banker nicknamed “The Banker to the Poor,” he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work developing microcredit markets. He has been praised for having lifted thousands of people out of poverty thanks to the Grameen Bankwhich he founded in 1983 and which provides small loans to businessmen who would not qualify for ordinary bank loans.