Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed has resigned and left the country after weeks of student-led protests spiralled into deadly clashes with security forces. The order for opposition leader Khaleda Zia's release came hours after Hasina's resignation, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, defended her tenure, stating she took over a failing state and made significant progress during her time in office.
The head of Bangladesh's army announced plans to help form an interim government following Hasina's departure. Her resignation and flight to India have left a power vacuum in the country, leading to uncertainty and unrest among the Bangladeshi people. Violent protests in Dhaka have calmed, but the underlying grievances of the population remain unaddressed.
Sheikh Hasina's resignation comes after the country's parliamentary elections in January, which solidified Bangladesh's transition to a dominant-party political system. The slogan "One, two, three, four, Sheikh Hasina is a dictator!" became a rallying cry for young Bangladeshis during the recent protests, highlighting growing dissatisfaction with the government's leadership.