'Bangladesh in war-like situation': Yunus after ban on Awami League's activities

Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus

Bangladesh government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has described Bangladesh as being in a ‘war-like situation’ following the ban on the Awami League's activities this month.

"With the banning of the Awami League, a new war-like situation has emerged—both inside and outside the country. The goal is to prevent our progress, to push the nation toward total collapse, and to drag us back into subjugation," chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prof Yunus as saying on Sunday night.

“Since the Awami League’s activities were banned, there have been relentless efforts to destabilise the situation. We must protect ourselves from this,” Yunus said at the meeting.

Yunus plans to hold the elections between December 2025 and June 30, 2026. "Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will not stay in power even a day after 30 June 2026," said Shafiqul Alam.

Yunus urged to everyone to be confident that he would not do anything that will put the country in danger. “I felt confident as we all sat together. If I fail to hold a fair election, I will feel guilty,” he added.

Shafiqul noted that the party leaders heard Yunus and reaffirmed their support for the interim government.

According to Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star, Yunus reportedly chaired a meeting with political parties on May 25, with 20 leaders of different political parties and organisations. While BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party leaders met Yunus separately amid reports that the Chief Adviser is upset and may resign soon.

Several political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, are demanding for parliamentary elections to be held by December.

Meanwhile, the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP), led by students instrumental in the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is pushing for major reforms before any elections take place.

'Selling nation to US'

In her latest audio message, Awami League leader and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused interim government head Muhammad Yunus of "selling the nation to the United States." She also criticized the administration's recent move to ban the Awami League, calling it "unconstitutional."

“My father did not agree to America’s demands for St. Martin’s Island . He had to give his life for that. And that was my destiny as I never thought of selling the country to stay in power,” she said.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5, 2024, after 15 years in office and fled to India amid weeks of deadly unrest. What began as peaceful protests over government job quotas evolved into a nationwide uprising demanding her resignation.