By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh has resigned on Monday after thousands of protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence in the country’s capital.
Army chief Waker-Us-Zaman said in a televised address that 76-year-old Hasina had left the country, adding that an interim government would be formed.
Waker’s announcement comes after more than 90 people were killed on Sunday in the deadliest day of violence in anti-government demonstrations that began in July.
“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.
Waker added: “We will form an interim government.
“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed – it is time to stop the violence. I hope after my speech, the situation will improve.”
He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members – but not Hasina’s Awami League.”