Yunus interim government explained

Cabinet Name:	Yunus ministry
Cabinet Type:	Interim government
Jurisdiction:	Bangladesh
Flag:	Flag of Bangladesh.svg
Incumbent:	8 August 2024 – present
Government Head Title:	Chief Adviser
Government Head:	Muhammad Yunus
Political Party:	Independent
State Head:	Mohammed Shahabuddin
Total Number:	21
Election:	-
Last Election:	TBA
Legislature Status:	Dissolved
Successor:	TBA

An interim government led by the Yunus ministry was formed on 8 August 2024 in Bangladesh, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 3 days prior in the face of nationwide student-public protests against the government. Following the dissolution of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad on 6 August, the interim cabinet will remain in office until a new prime minister takes over after a snap general election. The government, like the non-CtG interim governments in the country's past, is extra-constitutional, but the constitutional non-partisan caretaker government system was abolished from the constitution as well by the Awami League regime in 2011. However, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh affirmed the legality of the stopgap government on 9 August 2024 "in the urgent need to run the state affairs to fill in the constitutional vacuum in the state".^{[1] [2] [3]}

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Yunus and his council of advisers at Bangabhaban on 8 August 2024. The government currently has 20 advisers and one chief adviser. The Jamuna State Guest House is being used as the official residence of the chief adviser, as the Gonobhaban, which was previously used by the prime minister as her official residence, was vandalized by protesters on 5 August 2024.^[4]

List of advisers

The following lists the chief adviser and the special assistant(s) to the chief adviser:}

The following lists the advisers of the interim government:^{[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

Constitutional legality

There was significant concerns regarding the legality of an interim government, considering that the Constitution of Bangladesh currently does not allow for interim governments to exist, and the Constitution forbids ouster clauses, following the doctrine of basic constitutional structure. In essence, this means there is no law or ruling that could make this interim government legally legitimate.

Previously interim governments were possible and Constitutional under Bangladeshi law before 2012, because of the 13th Amendment but the Awami League government repealed the Amendment in 2011.^[10] With the Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country without announcing a replacement,^{[11] [12]} this creates an impossible situation for the Bangladeshi legal system because it can no longer account for transfers of power without elections since the 2011 changes. The repealement of the 13th Amendment makes it legally impossible for Caretaker governments like Yunus' to exist. That being said, the Appellate Division of the Bangladeshi Supreme Court has acknowledged the necessity of the Yunus government and ruled in favour of what essentially amounts to the wording of the 13th Amendment prior to its suspension: “The Appellate Division opined that in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution, an interim government can be formed with a chief advisor and a few other advisors in the absence of parliament.” as per Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan.^[13] Hassan himself a staunch supporter of the ousted Awami League, has since resigned as Chief Justice.^[14]

Regardless of the technical illegality of a non-Party interim (caretaker) government, due to extremely broad popular support and lack of legal alternatives other than an equally illegitimate military junta, Yunus was sworn in on the night of August 8, 2024.^{[15] [16]} Yunus' government enjoys broad international support and is seen as legitimate by the international community, with many heads of state and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of other nations having congratulated Yunus upon having been sworn in as the new Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh.^{[17] [18] [19]}

Reactions

Internal

• The nomination of Yunus, who accepted an offer to advise the interim government, has been supported by key figures in the student movement.^{[20] [21]} Anti-discrimination student movement coordinator Nahid Islam (who later became an adviser to the interim government) said on 6 August 2024,
• Former Member of National Parliament and business leader A.K. Azad said in his response, "The businessmen have full support for the interim government headed by Dr Muhammad Yunus. We hope, first of all, they will rebuild the broken law and order system as soon as possible. The police force will be reinstated so that they can ensure law and order.' He also mentioned that the innocent students who were killed indiscriminately should be investigated by a special committee immediately and tried by a special court.
• Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad-Inu) president Hasanul Haque Inu and general secretary Shirin Akhtar said in a statement that
• Bangladesh Awami League Leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif has congratulated the interim government, which has taken the oath of office after the ouster of the government led by the party, through a Facebook post.He also urged the government to take strict measures to stop killings, looting and arson attacks across the country.

International

Governments

• Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly welcomed the inauguration of the interim government in Bangladesh led by Dr. Yunus.
• Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, "China has noted the establishment of an interim government of Bangladesh and welcomes this".^[22]
• Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi congratulated Yunus after he was sworn in as a chief of the interim government. Modi said, "We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities".^[23] Leader of Opposition of India Rahul Gandhi & Cheif Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Yunus on being sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government.^[24]
• A spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope to strengthen Bangladesh–South Korea relations with the interim government.^[25]
• Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh congratulates and extends full support to Dr Yunus-led interim govt in Bangladesh.
• Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Yunus on his appointment as Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh.^[26]
• President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu congratulated Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Adviser of the interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.^[27]
• President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulates Yunus and his interim Government of Bangladesh.
• The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the interim government of Dr. Yunus.^[28] Prime Minister Dick Schoof also congratulated Dr. Yunus, stating, "Our countries enjoy long-standing and cordial ties. I look forward to supporting your interim government and further deepening our cooperation."^[29]
• Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif wished Yunus great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. He looks forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.^[30] . Many leaders of Opposition Party Pakistan Tehreek E Insaf(PTI) also congratulates Interim Government of Bangladesh.
• President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Yunus.^[31] Erdoğan described Yunus as "a friend of Islam and Turkey", adding that "Turkey will continue to provide support in this turbulent time".^[32]
• Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Matthew Miller told reporters: "We welcome Dr. Yunus's call for an end to the recent violence and we stand ready to work with the interim government and Dr. Yunus as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh."^[33]
• President of France Emmanuel Macron congratulated Dr Yunus & extends full support to Dr Yunus-led interim govt Of Bangladesh.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer Welcomed the Interim Government of the Bangladesh and He pledges support to Yunus-led interim govt in Bangladesh.

Organizations

• Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, "The EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and to supporting this critical transition which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights".^[34]
• An alliance of 255 revolutionary groups and civil society organizations in Myanmar published an open letter congratulating the establishment of the interim government and appealed to Yunus to collaborate with and support the National Unity Government of Myanmar against the State Administration Council.^{[35] [36]}

See also

• Caretaker government of Bangladesh
• Constitution of Bangladesh
• Elections in Bangladesh
• Government of Bangladesh
• List of cabinets of Bangladesh
• List of political parties in Bangladesh
• Non-cooperation movement (2024)
• Politics of Bangladesh
• Shahabuddin Ahmed ministry (interim)
• Student politics of Bangladesh

Notes and References

1. News: Dr Yunus-led interim govt legal: SC. The Business Standard. 9 August 2024. 10 August 2024. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20240810073631/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/supreme-court-legitimises-interim-govt-912966 . 10 August 2024 . live.
2. News: Shaikh . Emran Hossain . 7 August 2024 . Interim govt: What the law says . .
3. News: Interim government headed by Yunus is legal, says Supreme Court . 2024-08-18 . bdnews24.com . en.
4. News: 2024-08-08 . Yunus to stay at State Guest House Jamuna after taking oath . 2024-08-19 . The Daily Star . en.
5. Web site: 5 August 2024 . Who's Who In Bangladesh's New Interim Govt As Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Flees Restive Nation? . 6 August 2024 . News18 . en .
6. News: 7 August 2024 . Coordinators of anti-discrimination movement going to Bangabhaban . RTV News.
7. Web site: আলম . মো রাশেদুল . অন্তর্বর্তী সরকারের সম্ভাব্য উপদেষ্টা যাঁরা . 8 August 2024 . . bn .
8. Web site: 8 August 2024 . Who are the possible faces of the interim government of Bangladesh? . 8 August 2024 . . en .
9. Web site: 2024-08-09 . Interim govt: Who will oversee which ministry? . Dhaka Tribune.
10. Web site: Nirmitha Rao . Lingamgunta . August 7, 2024 . Bangladesh's constitutional dilemma: Interim government under Yunus explained . August 19, 2024 . Hindustan Times.
11. Web site: Sheikh Hasina: Euphoria in Bangladesh after PM flees country . 2024-08-18 . www.bbc.com . en-GB.
12. Web site: Bangladesh army announces interim government after PM Sheikh Hasina flees . 2024-08-18 . Al Jazeera . en.
13. Web site: Ex-CJ Khairul faces complaint over alleged fraud in passing judgement . 2024-08-18 . The Financial Express . en.
14. Web site: 2024-08-10 . Bangladesh's chief justice resigns after fresh protests at Supreme Court . 2024-08-18 . France 24 . en.
15. Web site: Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh’s interim government . 2024-08-18 . Al Jazeera . en.
16. Web site: Muhammad Yunus lands in Bangladesh to lead interim government . 2024-08-18 . www.bbc.com . en-GB.
17. News: PTI . 2024-08-10 . Antony Blinken welcomes swearing in of Muhammad Yunus to lead interim government in Bangladesh . 2024-08-18 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
18. Web site: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on Bangladesh Forming an Interim Government_Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China . 2024-08-18 . www.mfa.gov.cn.
19. Web site: Bangladesh: Statement by the High Representative on the new interim government EEAS . 2024-08-18 . www.eeas.europa.eu . en.
20. Web site: Bangladesh protesters want Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead government . 6 August 2024 . Al Jazeera . en .
21. News: 2024-08-08 . Bangladesh crisis highlights: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus takes oath as the head of Bangladesh's interim government . 2024-08-17 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
22. Web site: How China, India and the world reacted to Bangladesh's interim govt formation . 9 August 2024 . Firstpost . en-us .
23. Web site: Modi congratulates Prof Yunus on becoming chief adviser of interim govt . 8 August 2024 . The Financial Express . en .
24. 1821598665766736311 . RahulGandhi . Congratulations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on being sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government. A swift restoration of peace and normalcy is the need of the hour. . Rahul Gandhi.
25. Web site: Hasib . Nurul Islam . Korea looks forward to working with Bangladesh interim government . Dhaka Tribune . 17 August 2024 . 17 August 2024.
26. 1821883256511590885 . anwaribrahim . I extend my heartiest congratulations to Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus on his appointment as Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh. His vast experience promises to guide the nation with wisdom and integrity. . Anwar Ibrahim.
27. 1821574751070085165 . MMuizzu . Warm Congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Adviser of the interim government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh..
28. 1821916519930196260 . DutchMFA . The Netherlands stands with the people of #Bangladesh on their road to a democratic future and welcomes the interim government of dr. Yunus. We deeply value our bilateral relationship and look forward to further cooperation in line with democratic principles and human rights..
29. Web site: 2024-08-17 . Chief Adviser GOB . Facebook.
30. 1821756753622516042 . CMShehbaz . Heartiest felicitations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing-in as Chief Adviser of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Wishing him great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. I look forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead. @Yunus_Centre . Shehbaz Sharif.
31. Web site: Yunus says will head Bangladesh interim govt for snap elections . 9 August 2024 . Anadolu Ajansı .
32. Web site: 9 August 2024 . Erdogan congratulates Yunus . 9 August 2024 . . en .
33. Web site: Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh's interim government . 9 August 2024 . . en .
34. Web site: Bangladesh: congratulated YunusStatement by the High Representative on the new interim government EEAS . 9 August 2024 . www.eeas.europa.eu . en .
35. Web site: Myanmar Revolution Forces, CSOs congratulate Bangladesh on movement success . Dhaka Tribune . 17 August 2024 . 16 August 2024.
36. Web site: Myanmar civil society organisations send felicitations of support to Bangladesh movement . Mizzima . 17 August 2024 . 17 August 2024.