Yunus interim government

Yunus ministry
Interim government of Bangladesh
8 August 2024 – present
Muhammad Yunus
Date formed	8 August 2024; 22 days ago (2024-08-08)
People and organisations
President	Mohammed Shahabuddin
Chief Adviser	Muhammad Yunus
Total no. of members	23
Member party	Independent
Status in legislature	Dissolved
History
Election	-
Outgoing election	TBA
Predecessor	Hasina V

An interim government led by the Yunus ministry was formed on 8 August 2024 in Bangladesh, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024 amid nationwide student and public protests against the government. Following the dissolution of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad on 6 August 2024, the interim cabinet will remain in office until a new prime minister is appointed after a snap general election. The government, like the previous non-CtG interim administrations (in 1975 and 1990), is extra-constitutional. However, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh affirmed the legality of the stopgap government on 9 August 2024, citing the urgent need to manage state affairs and address the constitutional vacuum,^[1][2][3] as has been the case in the past too.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Yunus and his council of advisers at Bangabhaban on 8 August 2024.^[4] The cabinet currently consists of 1 chief adviser, 19 advisers and 2 Special assistant to the chief adviser. The Jamuna State Guest House is serving as the official residence of the chief adviser, as the Gonobhaban, previously used by the prime minister, was vandalized by protesters on 5 August 2024.^[5]

This section is an excerpt from Non-cooperation movement (2024).[edit]

The non-cooperation movement,^[a] also known as the one-point movement,^[b] was a protest against the Government of Bangladesh, initiated within the framework of the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. The sole demand of this movement was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet.^[6][7]

Although initially limited to the goal of reforming quotas in government jobs, the movement snowballed into a mass anti-government uprising after the deaths of several protesters. The movement was also fueled by ongoing socio-economic and political issues, including the government's mismanagement of the national economy, rampant corruption by government officials, human rights violations, allegations of undermining the country's sovereignty by Sheikh Hasina, and increasing authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

On 3 August 2024, coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and her cabinet and called for "comprehensive non-cooperation".^[13][14] The following day, violent clashes broke out, resulting in the deaths of 97 people, including students. The coordinators called for a long march to Dhaka to force Hasina out of power on 5 August. That day, a large crowd of protesters made its way through the capital.^[15] At around 3:00 p.m. (UTC+6), Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, her government's biggest ally.^[16] Widespread celebrations and violence occurred following her removal, while the military and President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an interim government led by economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.^[17] Meanwhile, Indian media was seen engaging in a widespread disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh, following Hasina's resignation and departure to India.^[18][19]

In spite of the existence of interim administrations in the 1975–78 (Sayem ministry) and 1990–91 (Shahabuddin Ahmed ministry) periods of Bangladeshi political history, there were significant concerns regarding the legality of an interim government, considering that the Constitution of Bangladesh does not allow for it to exist. The Constitution also forbids ouster clauses, following the doctrine of basic constitutional structure.

The only form of interim government that has been constitutional in the past under the country's law was the CtG system introduced in 1996 through the 13th Amendment but this was overturned by the Awami League regime in 2011 through the 15th Amendment, which repealed the former.^[20] With the Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the country amid protests,^[21][22] this creates an impossible situation for the Bangladeshi legal system because it can no longer account for transfers of power. That being said, the Appellate Division of the Bangladeshi Supreme Court has acknowledged the necessity of the Yunus government and ruled in favour of what essentially amounts to the wording of the 13th Amendment prior to its suspension: “The Appellate Division opined that in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution, an interim government can be formed with a chief advisor and a few other advisors in the absence of parliament” as per Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan.^[23] Hassan himself a staunch supporter of the ousted Awami League, has since resigned as Chief Justice.^[24]

Hence, despite the lack of constitutional legality for an interim government, due to extremely broad popular support and the need to ensure that a military junta takeover like in 1975 is prevented, Yunus was sworn in on the night of August 8, 2024.^[25][26] Yunus' government enjoys broad international support and is seen as legitimate by the international community, with many heads of state and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of other nations having congratulated Yunus upon having been sworn in as the new Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh.^[27][28][29]

This section is in list format but may read better as prose. You can help by converting this section, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (August 2024)

• The nomination of Yunus, who accepted an offer to advise the interim government, has been supported by key figures in the student movement.^[30][31] Anti-discrimination student movement coordinator Nahid Islam (who later became an adviser to the interim government) said on 6 August 2024,^[32]

  We have decided that an interim government would be formed, in which internationally renowned Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, would be the chief adviser.

• Former member of parliament and business leader A.K. Azad said in his response,

  The government that has been formed under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus has support from us businessmen. We hope that the broken law and order situation will be restored as soon as possible. All those students and public who were killed will be done justice through a special investigation committee and a special court of law.^[c]

• Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) president Hasanul Haq Inu and general secretary Shirin Akhtar said in a statement:

  As the primary and main task of the interim government, effective steps must be taken in restoring normalcy and peace in public life by ensuring the safety of life and property of the people through the reestablishment of law and order in the country without delay. Following the taking of office of the interim government, it should be ensured that there not be a single incident of loss of life, attack or destruction of property in the country.^[d]

• Joint General Secretary of the Awami League Mahbubul Alam Hanif has congratulated the interim government, which has taken the oath of office after the ouster of the government led by the party, through a Facebook post.^[35] He also urged the government to take strict measures to stop killings, looting and arson attacks across the country.

• Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly welcomed the inauguration of the interim government in Bangladesh led by Dr. Yunus.^{[citation needed]}
• Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, "China has noted the establishment of an interim government of Bangladesh and welcomes this".^[36]
• Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi congratulated Yunus after he was sworn in as a chief of the interim government. Modi said, "We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities".^[37] Leader of Opposition of India Rahul Gandhi & Cheif Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Yunus on being sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government.^[38]
• A spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope to strengthen Bangladesh–South Korea relations with the interim government.^[39]
• Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh congratulated and extended their full support.^{[citation needed]}
• Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Yunus on his appointment as Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh.^[40]
• President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu congratulated Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Adviser of the interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.^[41]
• President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulates Yunus and his interim Government of Bangladesh.^{[citation needed]}
• The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the interim government of Dr. Yunus.^[42] Prime Minister Dick Schoof also congratulated Dr. Yunus, stating, "Our countries enjoy long-standing and cordial ties. I look forward to supporting your interim government and further deepening our cooperation."^[43]
• Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif wished Yunus great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. He looks forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.^[44] Many leaders of Opposition Party Pakistan Tehreek E Insaf(PTI) also congratulates Interim Government of Bangladesh.
• President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Yunus.^[45] Erdoğan described Yunus as "a friend of Islam and Turkey", adding that "Turkey will continue to provide support in this turbulent time".^[46]
• Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Matthew Miller told reporters: "We welcome Dr. Yunus's call for an end to the recent violence and we stand ready to work with the interim government and Dr. Yunus as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh."^[47]
• President of France Emmanuel Macron congratulated Dr Yunus & extended full support.^{[citation needed]}
• Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer welcomed the Interim Government of the Bangladesh and pledged support.^{[citation needed]}

• High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said, "The EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and to supporting this critical transition which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights".^[48]
• An alliance of 255 revolutionary groups and civil society organizations in Myanmar published an open letter congratulating the establishment of the interim government and appealed to Yunus to collaborate with and support the National Unity Government of Myanmar against the State Administration Council.^[49][50]

• Caretaker government of Bangladesh
• Constitution of Bangladesh
• Elections in Bangladesh
• Government of Bangladesh
• List of cabinets of Bangladesh
• Non-cooperation movement (2024)
• Politics of Bangladesh
• Sayem ministry (interim 1975-78)
• Shahabuddin Ahmed ministry (interim 1990-91)
• Student politics of Bangladesh