Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the country’s caretaker government on Thursday, three days after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to quit and flee the country following violent protests.
“I will uphold, support and protect the constitution,” Yunus said during the swearing-in ceremony, adding that he would perform his duties “sincerely”.
More than a dozen members of his cabinet, who are titled advisers, not ministers, also took the oath.
They included top leaders of the Students Against Discrimination group that led the weeks-long protests, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud.
Others included a former foreign secretary and a former attorney general, an environmental lawyer, and prominent rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan who was sentenced to two years in jail during Hasina’s rule.
Yunus, 84, was recommended for the role by student protesters and returned to Dhaka earlier today from Paris, where he was undergoing medical treatment.
“The country has the possibility of becoming a very beautiful nation,” an emotional Yunus told reporters at the Dhaka airport, where he was greeted by top military officers and student leaders.
“Today is a glorious day for us,” Yunus said.
“Bangladesh has created a new victory day. Bangladesh has got a second independence,” the economist said.
The student protesters had saved the country and that freedom had to be protected, he said, adding: “Whatever path our students show us, we will move ahead with that.”
Yunus called for the restoration of order after weeks of violence that left at least 455 people dead, calling on citizens to guard each other, including minorities who came under attack.
“Law and order is our first task … We cannot take a step forward unless we fix the law and order situation,” he said.
“My call to the people is if you have trust in me, then make sure there will be no attacks against anyone, anywhere in the country.”
“Every person is our brother … our task is to protect them,” he said, adding that “the whole of Bangladesh is one big family”.
Yunus choked with emotion as he recalled the killing of student activist Abu Sayeed, shot dead in July by police from close range.
He paid tribute to the youth who sparked the protest movement and those who risked all for their desire for change. “They protected the nation and gave it a new life”, he said.
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News Voiced and Reported by: Soha.M
Sources: Al Jazeera | Reuters | France24 | Paris Olympics | BBC | Business Standard
Genre: Current Affairs | Geo-Politics | Bangladesh | New Prime Minister | Nobel Prize Winner
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