Who is the Bangladesh Army Chief who announced the resignation of the Prime Minister?

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqer-us-Zaman announced the resignation of exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina on Monday.

Zaman was born in Dahka in 1966 and is married to Saranaz. Kamalika Zaman, daughter of General Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who led the army from 1997 to 2000.

According to the Bangladesh Army website, Waker-Us-Zaman holds a master’s degree in defence studies from the Bangladesh National University and a master’s degree in defence studies from King’s College London.

Before becoming army chief, he spent just over six months as chief of the general staff, a post in which he oversaw, among other things, military operations and intelligence, Bangladesh’s role in UN peacekeeping operations and its budget. He also worked closely with Hasina during his 35-year career, serving as chief of staff of the armed forces division in the prime minister’s office.

In recent weeks, Bangladesh has seen several violent protests against the introduction of a quota system in the civil service, with Zaman called on the army to help ensure the safety of people’s lives, property and government facilities.

The army chief took office on June 23 and will serve for the usual three-year term.

In a televised address, the general said that after discussions with “all political parties” it was decided to form an interim government.

The statements did not make it clear whether the army would participate in forming the government, but Waqer-us-Zaman mentioned in the same speech that they would discuss forming a government and running the country with the president.