Bangladesh Leader Compares Sheikh Hasina’s Rule to a ‘Terrible Tornado’

• Mar 7, 2025

Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus Reflects on Challenges After Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has admitted he was "dazzled" when asked to take charge after long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power last year.

"I had no idea I’d be leading the government," Yunus told the BBC. "I had never run a government machine before and had to get the buttons right. Once that settled down, we started organizing things."

The Nobel Prize-winning economist emphasized that restoring law and order and reviving the shattered economy were his top priorities.

Sheikh Hasina’s Exile and Political Uncertainty

Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh since 2009, fled to India after being forced from office following a student-led uprising. It remains uncertain whether she and her party, the Awami League, will participate in upcoming elections. Hasina faces charges in Bangladesh for alleged crimes against humanity.

"They [the Awami League] have to decide if they want to participate. I cannot decide for them," Yunus stated. "The election commission determines participation."

Yunus aims to hold elections between December 2025 and March 2026, depending on how quickly reforms can be implemented to ensure free and fair voting.

Challenges of Governance

Comparing Hasina’s 16-year rule to a "terrible tornado," Yunus said his government is working to repair the damage left behind.

"The economy is in ruins. It’s as if we are picking up the pieces after a disaster," he said.

Despite his efforts, many residents of Dhaka say law and order has not yet been restored, and conditions remain uncertain.

"Better is a relative term," Yunus remarked. "Compared to last year, things look okay, but what is happening now is no different from any other time."

He attributes Bangladesh’s ongoing struggles to Hasina’s administration, stating, "We inherited a system that has been running for years. We are working within that continuum."

Concerns Over Safety and Political Repression

Hasina’s removal has not quelled tensions, as demonstrators continue demanding her prosecution for crackdowns on student protests. A Bangladeshi court has issued an arrest warrant against her, though India has yet to respond.

Under Yunus’s leadership, concerns persist about the safety of Awami League members. In February, homes of Awami League supporters, including the residence of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—Hasina’s father—were vandalized after reports surfaced that she would address supporters online.

The Awami League accused the interim government of enabling violence, but Yunus dismissed these claims, urging those affected to seek legal recourse.

"There’s a court, a law, a police station. If they have complaints, they should file them there—not just talk to a BBC correspondent," he stated.

US Foreign Aid Cuts and Bangladesh’s Future

Bangladesh is also grappling with the impact of the U.S. government's decision to cut foreign aid. The U.S., which last year committed $450 million in assistance, is the country’s third-largest donor.

Yunus acknowledged the impact but remained resolute. "It is their decision. It has been helpful because they are targeting issues we also wanted to address, such as fighting corruption."

Asked how Bangladesh plans to compensate for the funding loss, he responded, "When it happens, we will make do."

With political uncertainty, economic instability, and ongoing protests, Bangladesh’s road to recovery under Yunus’s leadership remains a complex and evolving challenge.