World

Bangladesh PM Hasina has resigned and left the country

By AAP Newswire

Aug 5, 2024

A demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, Bangladesh — Anti-government demonstrations have rocked Bangladesh, killing scores of people. -EPA

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country, ending 15 years in power as thousands of protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence.

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The news was confirmed by officials from the military and the foreign ministry, who requested anonymity they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Thousands appeared to have entered Hasina's official residence in Dhaka on Monday following weeks of violent demonstrations and clashes with security forces.

Bangladesh's military chief General Waker-uz-Zaman was to address the nation later in the day.

The protests began peacefully in late June as students sought an end to a quota system for government jobs, but turned violent after clashes between protesters and police and pro-government activists at Dhaka University.

The government's attempts to quell the demonstrations with force, curfews and internet shutdowns backfired, prompting further outrage as nearly 300 people were killed and leading to demands for an end to her 15 years in power.

On Sunday, nearly 100 people were killed as the protesters clashed with security officials and the ruling party activists across the country.

with AP

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press