Bangladesh president quits citing deteriorating health

DHAKA: Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned Friday, citing deteriorating health and his inability to continue performing constitutional duties of the office, bringing an early end to his five-year term that was due to end in April 2028. Shahabuddin oversaw the country during the restive period after an “uprising” against the Sheikh Hasina govt led to her ouster as PM.Shahabuddin’s exit also comes amid mounting pressure on BNP govt from Jamaat-e-Islami-led opposition, which had been demanding constitutional offices should no longer be occupied by figures “appointed” during the previous Hasina-led Awami League administration.In his resignation letter addressed to Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, who has assumed responsibilities of president, Shahabuddin said, “I am suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney complications. I have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. I have also been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy. Because of this illness, I frequently lose consciousness. Owing to progression of the disease, it has become impossible for me to properly discharge the important constitutional responsibilities of president.”A 1971 Liberation War veteran and former lower judiciary judge, Shahabuddin had taken the oath in April 2023. He was elected to the highest office by the previous parliament and was the only person still holding his constitutional position, long after the violent July-Aug 2024 ‘uprising’.