Bangladesh's Yunus seeks unity with fresh political dialogue

BANGLADESH’S interim leader will meet multiple parties yesterday in marathon talks as he seeks to build unity and calm intense political power struggles, party leaders and officials said.

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Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who leads the caretaker government as its chief adviser until elections are held, has called for rival parties to give him their full support.

The South Asian nation of around 170 million people has been in political turmoil since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by a student-led revolt in August 2024, ending her iron-fisted rule of 15 years.

The talks come after meetings that stretched into the weekend with major political parties, including those who have protested against the government this month.

“Chief advisor professor Muhammad Yunus will meet the leaders of several parties yesterday” his press secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

There are 54 registered political parties in Bangladesh - not including the now-banned Awami League of fugitive former leader Hasina.