Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Secures Controversial Fifth Term Amid Accusations of Crackdowns on Opposition
In a recent general election marked by controversy and accusations, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina clinched her fifth term in power, securing a decisive victory on Sunday. The polls were notable for being boycotted by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for the second time in the last three elections.
Sheikh Hasina, 76, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics, has a storied political career. Born in 1947 in southwestern Bangladesh, she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father who led the nation to independence from Pakistan. Her political journey includes periods of exile, political uprising, and alliances that have shaped the course of Bangladesh's political landscape.
Having joined forces with political rival Khaleda Zia in the early '90s to lead a popular uprising for democracy, Sheikh Hasina's alliance with Zia eventually crumbled, giving rise to a longstanding and bitter rivalry between the two leaders, often referred to as the 'battling begums.'
Despite early collaborative efforts for democracy, Hasina's rule over the years has faced scrutiny for alleged authoritarianism. Critics point to mass arrests of political opponents, crackdowns on free speech, and a suppression of dissent, leading to concerns about a virtual one-party rule under the Awami League.
The recent election has heightened tensions, with the BNP and rights groups accusing Hasina's government of arresting 10,000 opposition party workers on allegedly trumped-up charges in the lead-up to the polls. The BNP boycotted the election, demanding Hasina's resignation and the appointment of a neutral authority to oversee the electoral process.
However, Hasina refused these demands, accusing the opposition of instigating anti-government protests that have rocked Dhaka since October, resulting in at least 14 deaths. Both Hasina and her rivals have traded accusations of attempts to create chaos and violence, jeopardizing the fragile democracy in the South Asian country of 170 million people.
While Sheikh Hasina's leadership has been marked by economic successes, including the growth of the garments industry and international praise for sheltering Rohingya Muslims, challenges loom on the horizon. The economy has faced recent setbacks due to global events, and inflation reached 9.5% in November, one of the highest levels in decades.
As Sheikh Hasina begins her fifth term, tackling inflation and navigating the complex political landscape will be critical tasks. The international community watches closely to see how she addresses concerns about democratic governance in Bangladesh, where political stability and human rights remain key issues.
