The interim administration of Bangladesh, which came to power following a large-scale rebellion last year, issued a warning on Saturday that unity was necessary to “avoid the return of authoritarianism.”
The statement came after a week of escalation in which rival parties demonstrated in the streets of the nation’s capital, Dhaka. “Broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country,” the statement read.
The country, which has a population of about 170 million, has been experiencing political unrest since Sheikh Hasina, the former prime leader, was overthrown by student-led rallies in August 2024, ending her harsh 15-year dictatorship.
