Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has revealed that she resigned from her post to prevent further violence during protests, after being pressured to surrender the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allow American influence over the Bay of Bengal. She made these revelations as part of her undelivered speech, where she also expressed her pain over her party being targeted and vowed to return to her country soon. Hasina's resignation cleared the way for Muhammad Yunus to take over as the head of the interim government.
Saint Martin Island Dispute: A Clash of Sovereignty and Influence
Background
Saint Martin Island, a tiny island in the Bay of Bengal, has been a disputed territory between Bangladesh and India. In 1974, the two countries signed a treaty that resolved their maritime boundaries, but the ownership of Saint Martin Island remained unresolved.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has claimed that in 2006, she was pressured by external forces to surrender the island's sovereignty to the United States, which aimed to establish a military presence in the Bay of Bengal. To resist this pressure and prevent further violence, Hasina resigned from her post.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Claims
In her undelivered speech, Hasina revealed the following:
Muhammad Yunus' Rise to Power
Following Hasina's resignation, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer, took over as head of the interim government. Yunus's appointment was controversial, as he was not a member of Parliament and had no political experience.
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Saint Martin Island disputed? It is disputed because of its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal and its potential economic value.
2. What was the reason for Sheikh Hasina's resignation? She resigned to prevent further violence after being pressured to surrender the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island.
3. What was the role of the United States in the dispute? According to Hasina's claims, the US pressured Bangladesh to cede the island, seeking to establish a military presence in the Bay of Bengal.
4. Why was Muhammad Yunus appointed as interim government head? He was appointed as a compromise candidate, as he was not affiliated with any political party and was seen as a neutral figure.
5. What is the current status of the Saint Martin Island dispute? The dispute remains unresolved, with both Bangladesh and India claiming ownership of the island.
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