- Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and fled the country following weeks of protests.
- She has been a dominant political figure since the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, nearly 50 years ago.
- Her resignation came seven months after winning a fourth consecutive term in an election boycotted by the main opposition.
- Protests began in June over a controversial quota system in government jobs, escalating into demands for her resignation.
- Hasina first led the Awami League to victory in 1996, regaining power in 2009 and holding it since.
- Her rule has seen mass arrests of political opponents, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
- Despite accusations of authoritarianism, she is credited with economic improvements and sheltering Rohingya refugees. However, the economy has slowed due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dig Deeper: Read about the stakes of India in Bangladesh amid the Coup.
