Bangladesh: Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Appointed Interim PMÂ
Bangladesh: Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Appointed Interim PMÂ
In a surprise move, Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin has appointed Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government. The decision was announced on Tuesday night after a meeting between the President and coordinators of the ‘student movement’, with the chiefs of the three armed forces in attendance.
Yunus, a renowned social worker, banker, and economist, will lead the interim government as Prime Minister. His appointment comes amid ongoing anti-government protests, which have claimed 440 lives so far.
The 82-year-old Yunus is best known for pioneering microfinance and founding Grameen Bank in 1983, which provides loans to poor women without collateral. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts to eradicate poverty.
Yunus has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including:
- – United States Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
- – Congressional Gold Medal (2010)
- – Nobel Peace Prize (2006)
- – Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
- – Congressional Gold Medal (2010)
In addition to his work in microfinance, Yunus also laid the foundation for Grameen Telecom, the parent company of GrameenPhone, the first prepaid mobile service provider in Bangladesh. Today, Grameen Phone is the largest mobile network company in Bangladesh, with a 48% market share and over 80 million customers.
Yunus’s appointment has raised hopes for a peaceful transition in Bangladesh, but challenges lie ahead. The country has been rocked by protests and violence, with over 100 deaths reported since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on Monday.
The army is working to control the situation, with police and army patrols on the streets. The names of other members of the interim government are yet to be announced, pending consultations with various political parties.
Yunus’s leadership is seen as a positive step towards stability, but his controversial past, including allegations of economic exploitation and rule violations, may pose challenges for his interim government.
