Bangladesh: Iron Lady Sheikh Hasina has no intention of relinquishing power

hurt by the 1975 coup

“Do you realize they killed my father?” she says in reference to the tragic incident that began but is still haunting her career. His father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bangladesh, was assassinated in a military coup in 1975. Seventeen of his relatives were also killed, including his ten-year-old brother. Today, however, many Bangladeshis are wondering whether the unhappiness and dynastic entitlement that drives their prime minister isn’t a threat to the image and future of the country that she will leave behind. Our interview with him certainly won’t help allay these concerns.

She plans to ban the opposition party

No politician appreciates criticism, but Sheikh Hasina flinches at the slightest suggestion that her record is not perfect. On the other hand, almost no government is benevolent in their eyes except their own. Corruption [le Bangladesh a longtemps été classé pays du sud-est asiatique le plus corrompu après l’Afghanistan] , It is the fault of the military power that replaced his father. Which scam involving members of his government was recently condemned by the World Bank? Pure invention! She also denies the existence of the problem. Maybe on the lower end, but it’s almost gone now. And if some were tempted to allow themselves to be bought, I would act immediately! “While saying she is in favor of the freedom to vote, she is challenging the status of a de facto political party to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party led by another charismatic personality, Khaleda Zia, and is mulling the idea of ​​banning it from running in the next elections.

In a sign of a hardening of the regime, Bangladesh’s main opposition newspaper ceased publication in February on government orders, raising concerns about press freedom in the South Asian nation.

She doesn’t want to choose between China and America

On its part, the United States would like Dhaka to stop attracting China and its investors. But she, Sheikh Hasina, intends to have it both ways. The relationship between China and the United States is their problem, he said. Why would I stick my nose in it? “But she immediately continues to hoe against the United States, which for a time was close to Ms. Zia. They call themselves Democrats […] But this is not seen here. Why don’t they support me? “In fact, Washington supports him when perhaps it would have been better not to.

their succession is not relevant

A mix of courage and ruthless exercise of power, Sheikh Hasina’s long career has been marked by successes that she is entitled to claim, and dynamic economic growth that she prides herself on, even though it has nothing to do with her. It’s hard to see how the story could have a happy ending. Sheikh Hasina is proving herself to be more and more authoritarian and has upset many people, but as she has confirmed, she has no intention of stepping down. The name of the latest project of his government is Vision 2041. She knows that she will not be able to see this happen. But as she enters her third decade in power, her succession planning is not on the agenda. ‘Cause if I’m not there […] I do not know who will come to power. ,