Bangladesh PM resigns amid ongoing protests

Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on Monday after she resigned as prime minister, according to local media reports. Indian news service ANI reported that she landed at a military airfield near Delhi, India. Videos online showed protesters storming Hasina’s official residence following her resignation. The 76-year-old, who held power for 15 years, won a fourth consecutive term in January. Thousands of her opponents boycotted the election. The United States and other observers have said it was not conducted free and fair. Army Chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman gave a television address announcing Hasina’s resignation. He said an interim government would be formed after discussions with Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

What led to her resignation? Students across the country protested for weeks about the government’s use of job quotas. The government saves up to 30 percent of federal jobs for family members of individuals who served in the 1971 war of independence. Protesters call the practice discriminatory. Officials have tried to quell the protests through force and nearly 300 people have died in the clashes since mid-July, according to local media reports. More than 90 people were killed Sunday and UNICEF reported last week that at least 32 children had died during the protests. Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman has promised to investigate the crackdown.

Dig deeper: Listen to Onize Ohikere’s report on The World and Everything in It about Bangladesh slashing job quotas.