The 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took an oath as the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government during a ceremony in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. His appointment follows weeks of student-led protests that compelled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and seek refuge in neighboring India.

“I will uphold, support, and protect the constitution,” Yunus stated during the ceremony, adding that he would perform his duties “honestly.” The primary responsibility now lies with Yunus to restore peace in Bangladesh and prepare for new elections.

The symbolic president, Mohammed Shahabuddin, presided over the oath-taking ceremony in the presence of foreign diplomats, civil society members, top business leaders, and representatives from the previous opposition party. No representatives from Hasina’s party were present at the event.

Alongside Yunus, 16 other individuals have been included in the interim cabinet, which largely comprises members from civil society, including two leaders from the protests. The members were selected through discussions among student leaders, civil society representatives, and the military.

Hasina stepped down on Monday after several chaotic weeks that began in July with protests against a government job quota system, which critics claimed favored individuals with connections to her party. The demonstrations quickly evolved into a significant challenge to Hasina’s 15-year rule, which was marred by violence that resulted in the deaths of over 300 people, including students.

Yunus, known for his work in developing the microfinance market and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, was in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics when he was appointed interim leader and returned home under strict security measures at Dhaka Airport.

In his first comments after returning, Yunus stated at a press conference that his priority would be to restore order. “Bangladesh is one family. We must unite it,” he said, flanked by student leaders. “It has enormous potential.”

During a press conference in Paris on Wednesday, Yunus called for calm and an end to all partisan violence. Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who serves as an advisor to his mother, pledged on Wednesday that his family and the Awami League party would continue to participate in Bangladesh’s politics—a return to a previous statement made after Hasina’s resignation.

The president dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, paving the way for the interim administration. The following day, Yunus was acquitted in a labor law case involving a telecommunications company he had founded. He had previously been convicted and sentenced to six months in prison but had been released on bail.

Yunus has long been an opponent of Hasina, who has previously labeled him a “bloodsucker,” allegedly due to claims that he used coercion to collect loans from the impoverished rural population, especially women. Yunus has denied these accusations.

**Tags:** Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, Sheikh Hasina, Nobel Peace Prize, interim government, protests, microfinance, civil society, political crisis, Dhaka