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Published : 16 Feb 2026, 09:25 PM
As the nation prepares for a historic transfer of power, outgoing interim head Muhammad Yunus has delivered a farewell address, appealing to citizens to sustain the reforms initiated under his administration.
In a nationally broadcast speech on Monday night, Yunus reflected on his tenure.
“I call on all, regardless of party, religion, gender, or community, to continue the struggle for a just, humane, and democratic Bangladesh,” Yunus said.
“My colleagues and I have tried to honour our commitments. Where we succeeded or failed, the judgement rests with you.”
Yunus assumed office on Aug 8, 2024, at the invitation of student leaders who spearheaded the July Uprising that ended the Awami League’s 15-year rule.
His interim administration oversaw a period of political transition culminating in the Feb 12 general election.
That vote delivered a decisive victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), clearing the way for the installation of a new government under its leadership.
The swearing-in of the new cabinet is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the South Plaza of parliament, where Yunus will also be present, formally concluding his one-and-a-half-year tenure.
Yunus is expected to attend the ceremony, formally closing a chapter that began amid upheaval and ends with an elected parliament restored.
In his address, he urged vigilance in safeguarding the democratic practices nurtured over the past 18 months: free speech, accountable governance, civic participation, and transparent elections.
“I believe the people of Bangladesh, along with all political factions, will uphold and strengthen this momentum with unwavering unity in the days to come,” Yunus said, emphasising that the country’s democratic and reformist gains must not be lost.
A ‘Benchmark’ For Future
Yunus extended his congratulations to all for successfully conducting a “festive, participatory, and peaceful national election”.
He said, “Through this election, voters, political parties, candidates, election institutions, and law-enforcers together created a commendable precedent. It will serve as an exemplary model for how future elections in Bangladesh should be conducted.”
“Those who won this competitive election, I congratulate. Those who lost, I also congratulate. Victory and defeat are the essence of democracy. The new government will assume office in the coming days, marking the conclusion of our 18-month tenure,” he added.
Reflecting on August 2024, Yunus recalled the unprecedented uprising in July, when citizens asserted their freedom, aspirations, and dignity amidst a profound political, economic, institutional, and humanitarian crisis.
“People had lost faith in the state, democracy was in ruins, and the future uncertain,” he said.
He noted that he was entrusted with three responsibilities to restore normalcy: reform, justice, and elections.
“We spared no effort. We pursued justice for crimes against humanity, corruption, and misconduct above politics and revenge. We reformed fragile institutions administratively, commercially, and financially, ensuring no future government could override the people’s will.
“Most importantly, we held a celebratory, free, fair, impartial, peaceful, and credible national election, restoring citizens’ voting rights,” Yunus said.
He described this election not merely as a power transfer but as “the beginning of a new journey for Bangladesh’s democracy -- the birth of a new Bangladesh.”
Paying tribute to those slain and injured in the July Uprising, he said: “Without their extraordinary sacrifice, this transformation would not have been possible.”
Reforms
He highlighted the creation of nearly 130 new laws and amendments, alongside about 600 executive orders -- 84 percent of which have been implemented -- strengthening citizens’ rights, the judiciary, and ensuring extrajudicial killings never recur.
Recalling the fragile law-and-order situation at the start of the interim government, he added: “Police no longer use firearms unlawfully, abduct citizens, or conduct killings under the guise of ‘gunfights’. Fear of law-enforcers no longer dictates life-or-death decisions.”
Yunus emphasised judicial independence through a separate secretariat, transparent judge appointments, and civil and criminal law reforms, while noting the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission to prevent Bangladesh from ever becoming a state without human rights.
Yunus claimed that amending the Sexual Harassment Prevention Ordinance for the protection of women and children, the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has “paved the way” for ensuring protection against harassment of women at workplaces and educational institutions.
Referring to forthcoming verdicts in multiple July killings cases at the International Crimes Tribunal, Yunus said: “We hope the judicial process will continue to move forward with utmost neutrality and transparency in the coming days.”
The chief advisor also recalled that the country’s economy had been in disarray and the banking system had collapsed when the interim government assumed office.
He said his administration had introduced structural reforms in revenue management, tax policy, currency management, and the financial sector.
The Yunus-led government had faced strong criticism over its decision to hand over port management to foreign operators.
He said: “We have made significant progress in signing agreements with the world’s best international port management companies to bring our ports to international standards. If we fail to enhance efficiency, we will fall behind in our economic gains.”
He claimed that Bangladesh had been able to firmly restore three key pillars in its foreign policy: sovereignty, national interest, and national dignity.
“A submissive foreign policy or a Bangladesh dependent on the directives and advice of other countries no longer exists. Today’s Bangladesh is confident, active, and responsible in safeguarding its own interests.”
July Charter
Describing the July Charter as the interim government’s “greatest achievement”, Yunus said the people had decided to implement it through a referendum with an “overwhelming majority”.
“If the July Charter is implemented, the pathways for ‘fascism’ to return will be permanently closed. We hope it will be implemented within the stipulated timeframe.”
He expressed hope that even if people forget the interim government’s successes and failures, the nation would never forget the July Charter.
“I congratulate all political parties, social organisations and rights groups who worked tirelessly to draft this Charter and secure its approval through a referendum.”
"A Country Of Immense Potential"
“Bangladesh is no longer just a story of overcoming crises. Today, Bangladesh is a country of immense potential,” Yunus said.
He noted that if Bangladesh can transform its large youth population into a “skilled, hardworking, and disciplined” workforce, it could become a reliable supplier of skilled manpower for many developed countries.
Referring to a recent bilateral trade and tariff agreement with the United States, Yunus said: “This agreement is not merely a commercial benefit; it will serve as a strategic foundation to strengthen Bangladesh’s economy, employment, industrialisation and international diplomatic standing in the long term.”
He described the economic partnership agreement signed with Japan as a “historic and strategic advancement” aimed at making Bangladesh’s economic future sustainable, diversified, and technology-driven.
"Education, Training, And Honesty"
Yunus said, “Let me state clearly, there is no alternative to three things for turning potential into reality: education, training, and honesty.”
He added, “In the past, limitless corruption, dishonesty, irregularities and fraud were encouraged in state administration. That culture held us back and damaged our credibility.
“The new Bangladesh must move away from that path. We must commit to compliance, keeping promises, maintaining standards, freeing every level of the state from corruption, and ensuring transparency and accountability.”
Yunus said, “We did not start from zero, we started from minus. We cleared the rubble, rebuilt institutions, and then embarked on reforms.”
He added, “Even as we leave state responsibilities, the overall duty of building a new Bangladesh lies with me, with you, with all of us. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the country truly flourishes as a democracy.”
Expressing gratitude to all before stepping down, the Nobel laureate said: “Let us build a Bangladesh where possibilities are limitless, and dreams have no boundaries.”
