By By Muminat Ajide
Following the deaths of over 90 citizens on Sunday, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned, announced the army chief, amid weeks of deadly demonstrations.
In a national address on Monday, General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated that an interim government would now oversee the country.
Hasina, who had governed for two decades, departed through military helicopter, according to reports, after crowds defied a national curfew to storm her palace in Dhaka.
The resignation follows a period of intense unrest that claimed the lives of 300 people, as authorities attempted to quell protests. Tensions remained high on Monday with protesters planning a march on Dhaka and the army preparing to address the nation.
By early afternoon, reports indicated that streets were filled with celebration upon news of Hasina’s departure.
The army chief called on citizens to trust in the military, promising to restore peace and ensure justice for all deaths and crimes during the protests. He urged the public to remain patient and refrain from violence and vandalism.
“We have invited representatives from major political parties, who have accepted our invitation and committed to cooperation,” the general added.
Ms. Hasina, the long-serving leader of the country, faced continued unrest as student leaders declared a campaign of civil disobedience to press for her resignation.
Thirteen police officers were among those killed, as an indefinite nationwide curfew was imposed to curb further violence. Hundreds were injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters, with Internet services preemptively shut down ahead of a planned march on Dhaka.
Broadband and mobile internet services were suspended nationwide, citing orders to prevent violence, impacting communication channels.
The protest, originating in July with demands to eliminate quotas in civil service jobs, escalated into a broader anti-government movement.
