Bangladesh’s President, Mohammed Shahabuddin, resigned from office on Friday, bringing an end to his largely ceremonial role after citing worsening health in a resignation letter obtained by AFP.
The president, a close ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, confirmed his decision during a telephone conversation with AFP.
“Yes, I have resigned,” Shahabuddin said when asked about widespread speculation that he planned to step down before completing his full term ending in 2028.
He did not give additional details about his decision.
In the resignation letter addressed to the speaker of parliament, Shahabuddin explained that declining physical and mental health had made it impossible for him to continue carrying out his constitutional responsibilities.
“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.
The 76-year-old president, popularly known as “Chuppu”, was elected by parliament in 2023 with the backing of Hasina’s Awami League.
Pressure for his removal intensified after Hasina was ousted from power during a student-led uprising in 2024.
Shahabuddin also faced allegations of speaking with Hasina by telephone while receiving medical treatment in London in May, claims he has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said on Thursday that the government had not received any formal notice of the president’s resignation.
“If he wants to resign, he would have to submit his resignation letter to the speaker in accordance with the Constitution,” he told reporters.
