Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin Resigns, Cites Ill Health

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office, citing worsening health, bringing an early end to his tenure as the country's ceremonial head of state.

The 76-year-old president confirmed his resignation to AFP on Friday after days of speculation about his future.

"Yes, I have resigned," Shahabuddin said, declining to provide further details.

His resignation comes ahead of the completion of his five-year term, which was due to expire in 2028.

In a resignation letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament and seen by AFP, Shahabuddin said his deteriorating physical and mental condition had made it impossible for him to continue performing the duties of the office.

"Due to worsening physical and mental incapacity... it is no longer possible for me to properly discharge the responsibilities of an important constitutional office such as the presidency," the letter stated.

Popularly known as "Chuppu," Shahabuddin was elected president in 2023 with the backing of the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Following Hasina's removal from office during a student-led uprising in 2024, pressure mounted on Shahabuddin to step down because of his close association with her administration.

He also faced criticism over reports that he spoke with Hasina by telephone while receiving medical treatment in London in May. Shahabuddin denied the allegation.

Just a day before the resignation became public, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of the governing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said the government had not received any official notice of the president's intention to resign.

"If he wants to resign, he would have to submit his resignation letter to the speaker in accordance with the Constitution," Ahmed told reporters on Thursday.

Shahabuddin's resignation now sets in motion the constitutional process for filling the vacancy in Bangladesh's presidency.

AFP