Bangladesh's army chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced on Monday that he is "taking full responsibility" after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled the country. Speaking in a televised address, Waker, adorned with medals and wearing a four-star general's cap, confirmed that Hasina, 76, had resigned and that the army would form an interim government. He pledged to address the injustices that have plagued the country, emphasizing the need to stop the violence that has caused significant economic damage and loss of life.

Appointed as chief of army staff in June, Waker is a trusted figure, partly due to his distant familial relation to Hasina. His military career spans nearly four decades, including roles as a UN peacekeeper and various positions within the army and Hasina's office. Waker's father-in-law was also an army chief during Hasina's early tenure as prime minister.

Waker called for an end to the protests that began in early July, initially sparked by government hiring rules but later evolving into demands for Hasina's resignation. The unrest has resulted in at least 300 deaths. He appealed to university students, who played a significant role in the protests, to support the army's efforts to stabilize the nation.

Waker, who has received officer training in Britain and holds master's degrees in defence studies from Bangladesh’s National University and King’s College London, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation to achieve a favourable outcome for the country. He hinted that the state of emergency could be lifted if the situation improves.