Bangladesh transition talks began before Hasina's August exit, aide claims

A Facebook post by Alam, described as an aide to interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, alleged that Qadaruddin Shishir—then affiliated with AFP's fact-checking division in Dhaka—facilitated early conversations between Yunus and student leaders who were seeking his leadership of a transitional administration.

According to Alam's October 28 account, these preliminary talks about Bangladesh's post-Hasina leadership structure occurred before the Prime Minister departed the country on August 5, 2024, amid escalating protests and civil disorder.

The claims raise questions about the timeline and orchestration of events leading to Hasina's exit and the subsequent establishment of an interim government. Student-led movements had dominated Bangladesh's political landscape in the weeks preceding her departure, with demonstrators calling for her resignation.

Yunus subsequently accepted an invitation to lead the interim government following Hasina's flight from Dhaka. The revelation of pre-departure coordination adds another layer to ongoing discussions in Bangladesh about how the regime change unfolded and the various actors involved in transitional arrangements.