Month: November 2024

This is a useful new report from the International Crisis Group on contemporary Bangladeshi politics:
“The euphoria that accompanied Hasina’s departure lingers, but the harsh reality of the road ahead is becoming increasingly clear. Already in bad shape, Bangladesh’s economy is limping along, having taken a further hit from more than a month of protests and the uncertainty of the transition. Yunus’s team has struggled to restore law and order, dependent largely on a police force that was heavily implicated in the anti-protest repression. Maintaining popular support will be crucial, particularly given the interim government’s improvised legal foundations.

Rebuilding the country’s institutions will also be no mean feat, and while the interim administration is the most inclusive Bangladesh has ever seen, many of its members have little experience in government or management. Maintaining the backing of key political players is already proving challenging: some stand to benefit from an early election, and even Yunus’s allies have divergent views about issues such as constitutional reform and accountability for atrocities committed under Hasina’s rule. While Hasina’s party is now in disarray, Yunus may also face obstruction from pro-AL factions and individuals.”