In the power vacuum that was created when Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, 2024 the nation turned to one of his most respected and celebrated citizens: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Most Bangladeshis, members of its global diaspora, and friends of the country cheered the elevation of this intellectual, economist and social entrepreneur to head the Interim Government to pursue reforms and prepare for free and fair elections. He took office on August 8 and appointed a cabinet of respected leaders from civil society, academia, and business.
Below is a profile of Professor Yunus’ career leading to his important new appointment as Chief Adviser which is effectively the Interim Prime Minister of the country.
1971: Professor Yunus organizes
Bangladeshis in the U.S. to work to support the liberation war from there.
1972: Professor Yunus returns to Bangladesh from the United States to help rebuild up the country, initially as a Professor of Economics at Chittagong University.
1976: Professor Yunus establishes the Grameen Bank as an experimental pilot project to empower women through small loans and savings products.
1983: The Grameen Bank Project becomes the world’s first bank for the poor that is partly owned by the women who borrow from it.
2006: Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank share the Nobel Peace Prize.
January 1, 2024: Professor Yunus is convicted on false charges of embezzlement, leading to outrage in Bangladesh and around the world.
July 21, 2024: Professor Yunus urges international intervention to halt student and protester deaths, risking treason charges.
August 5, 2024: Sheikh Hasina steps down as Prime Minister amid a student-led uprising, ending 14 years of autocratic rule.
August 6, 2024: Student leaders appeal to Professor Yunus to fill the leadership vacuum, and he agrees.
August 8, 2024: Three days after the government’s collapse, Prof. Yunus is inaugurated as Chief Adviser, delivering reassurance and hope in a brief address.
August 25, 2024: In his first national address, Prof. Yunus pledged to pursue reforms, to protect democracy by holding free and fair elections, and to protect minorities. You can read the text of the speech here
September 3, 2024: Amid domestic challenges, Prof. Yunus secured pardons for 57 detained Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates, signaling his commitment to protect Bangladeshi citizens globally.
September 25, 2024: Focusing on financial stability, Prof. Yunus met World Bank’s Ajay Banga, securing $3.5 billion, and China’s Wang Yi for solar investment talks.
October 12, 2024: Prof. Yunus visited Dhakeshwari Temple during the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, reinforcing his message of unity, inclusiveness, and equal rights for all.