Bangladesh prime minister resigns and flees country
The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country, General Waker-uz-Zaman announced on Monday. The Bangladeshi army chief will form an interim government with military support, he said during a televised speech.
Bangladesh has been in turmoil for weeks. Protests over the reintroduction of quotas for government jobs began peacefully last month but have increasingly turned bloody. The protests escalated on Sunday when at least 90 people were killed, according to the BBC.
Hasina came under increasing pressure to step down. As protesters threatened to storm her palace in Dhaka on Monday, she decided to resign and flee the country. The 76-year-old left the capital in a helicopter and is on her way to the Indian city of Agartala, the BBC reports.
End of 15-year rule
Television footage from local media showed thousands of protesters storming and ransacking the prime minister's palace. Clips show them carrying out sofas and chairs from Hasina's former residence.
The Bangladeshi army chief confirmed Hasina's resignation in a televised speech. The general also vowed "justice" for all the people of Bangladesh.
Hasina has been in power since 2009. Her most recent election victory in 2018 was rejected by the opposition and led to deadly protests. NGOs have also seen democratic backsliding under Hasina's rule.
© PHOTO BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE / AFP
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