Bangladesh President Shahabuddin resigns:Pressure mounts after Hasina’s return announcement; govt calls it a personal decision

President of Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin, has submitted his resignation letter to Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, citing severe health reasons. Shahabuddin, who has served as the country’s president since April 2023, remained in office during a turbulent period after then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by youth-led protests in August 2024. He oversaw the transition until a caretaker government was formed a few days later. In Bangladesh, the president is the head of state, but the post is largely ceremonial, while executive powers are exercised by the prime minister and the cabinet. Pressure mounts after Hasina’s return announcement Shahabuddin’s expected resignation comes days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told Reuters that she would return to Bangladesh from exile in India to face court proceedings. Following her announcement, leaders of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) reportedly intensified pressure on Shahabuddin to step down, according to BBC Bangla sources. Government says resignation is president’s decision Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday that the government had not asked the president to resign. He added that Bangladesh’s Constitution allows the president to resign if he chooses to do so. Hasina sentenced to death over 2024 crackdown Earlier this month, Hasina told Reuters that she and her allies would return to Bangladesh despite facing legal action. Last year, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal found her guilty of allowing lethal force against student-led protesters during the 2024 unrest, in which around 1,400 people were killed. She was sentenced to death in absentia. Following her ouster, the Awami League was banned from politics and many of its leaders were jailed. Shahabuddin stayed on after Hasina’s exit After Hasina’s government was toppled in August 2024, Shahabuddin remained president while an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, he continued to discharge his constitutional duties during the transition. In an interview with Reuters in December 2025, Shahabuddin said he had felt “humiliated” by the interim government after his portraits were removed from Bangladeshi embassies and consulates. He had expressed a desire to leave office but said he would remain until elections and allow the next government to decide his future. New president must be elected within 90 days Shahabuddin’s current term was due to run until 2028. However, if he resigns, Bangladesh’s Constitution requires the election of a new president within 90 days.