Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, long-time ally of Sheikh Hasina, resigns

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters The President of Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin, resigned from his post on Friday (July 24, 2026). In a letter addressed to Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Speaker of the National Assembly (Jatiyo Sansad), Mr. Shahabuddin said he was suffering from serious health issues and was unable to perform the duties of the office of President.Mr. Shahabuddin was sworn in as the twenty-second President of Bangladesh on April 24, 2023, during the third term of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh went through a controversial election in January 2024, when Ms. Hasina was re-elected, which was followed by the uprising against her government in July-August 2024. In his letter, Mr. Shahabuddin defended his decisions that led to the formation of the interim government after the fall of Prime Minister Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024.In the letter, he said that he is suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and kidney complications. Earlier reports suggested that the new government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who was sworn in on February 17, 2026, was planning to appoint Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani as the next President of the country. Published - July 24, 2026 07:14 pm IST