Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin Announces Resignation Plans Following February Elections Amid Tensions With Interim Government

Bangladesh President stated he has experienced humiliation from the interim government under Muhammad Yunus's leadership.

On Thursday, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin revealed his intention to resign from his position following the February parliamentary election, telling Reuters that he has felt humiliated by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

As Bangladesh's head of state, Shahabuddin serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, though his role is primarily ceremonial, with executive authority vested in the prime minister and cabinet.

His position gained significant importance when a student-led uprising forced long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to New Delhi in August 2024, leaving him as the sole remaining constitutional authority after the dissolution of parliament.

Shahabuddin, 75, was elected unopposed for a five-year term in 2023 as the nominee of Hasina's Awami League party.

"I am keen to leave. I am interested to go out," he stated in a WhatsApp interview from his official residence in Dhaka.

"Until elections are held, I should continue," Shahabuddin added. "I am upholding my position because of the constitutionally held presidency."

The president revealed that Yunus had not met with him for nearly seven months, his press department had been removed, and in September, his portraits were taken down from Bangladeshi embassies worldwide.

"There was the portrait of the president, picture of the president in all consulates, embassies and high commissions, and this has been eliminated suddenly in one night," he explained. "A wrong message goes to the people that perhaps the president is going to be eliminated. I felt very much humiliated."

Shahabuddin mentioned he had written to Yunus regarding the portraits, but no action was taken. Yunus's press advisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.