Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country following sustained protests over a quota system for jobs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned amid sustained protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs. On August 5, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s army chief, announced the formation of an interim government that includes all parties to manage the transitional period. Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister since Bangladesh’s independence, had earlier blamed the opposition for the country’s turmoil. As expected, she has fled to India. Hasina secured a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.

In July, rallies against the government turned violent, resulting in over 200 deaths. On August 3, Bangladeshi student leaders declared they would persist with a planned nationwide civil disobedience campaign until Hasina resigned, following a deadly police crackdown on protesters. Although troop deployments temporarily restored order, significant crowds returned to the streets this week, preparing for an all-out non-cooperation movement set to begin on August 4.

Students Against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, rejected an offer of talks with Hasina on August 4 and announced their campaign would continue until the prime minister and her government stepped down. The student organization urged citizens to stop paying taxes and utility bills to pressure the government further. They also called for strikes among government workers and laborers in the country’s crucial garment factories.

The death toll in the unrest has reached 300. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, enjoyed strong support from neighboring India. While the country experienced significant economic growth during her 15-year tenure, her rule was also marked by widespread political repression and human rights sanctions against her security forces. Hasina faced accusations of overseeing a flawed election boycotted by the opposition, and critics pointed to numerous rights abuses under her leadership, including the killing of opposition activists. Her government was widely seen as repressive and corrupt, with high youth unemployment and an unequal distribution of wealth. Consequently, many have welcomed the end of her administration.

Despite the civilian façade, the military is now effectively in control of Bangladesh and will administer it as before. Whether the army will relinquish power after holding fair and credible elections remains to be seen.