Bangladesh president resigns citing ill health

Bangladesh's president, a close ally of former premier Sheikh Hasina, resigned from the largely ceremonial role on Friday citing ill health.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin confirmed his resignation to AFP, according to a letter seen by the news agency.

Why did Bangladesh's president resign?

Shahabuddin resigned two years before his five-year term was due to expire in 2028, citing worsening physical and mental health. His resignation letter to the speaker of parliament said his declining condition made it impossible for him to properly discharge the responsibilities of the presidency. The move follows months of speculation over whether he would step down early.

"Yes, I have resigned," Shahabuddin said when asked about the widespread speculation, without providing further details. In his resignation letter to the speaker, seen by AFP, he cited his deteriorating health directly.

"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 said.

Who is Mohammed Shahabuddin?

The 76-year-old, widely known as "Chuppu," was elected by parliament in 2023 with support from Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. Calls for his removal mounted after a student revolt ousted the autocratic Hasina in 2024.

He was later accused of speaking to Hasina by phone while she was undergoing medical treatment in London in May, an allegation he has denied.

Did the government know about the resignation in advance?

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of the governing Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Thursday that the government was not aware the president had submitted his resignation.

He said any resignation would have to be submitted formally to the speaker in accordance with the constitution. His comments came a day before Shahabuddin confirmed the resignation to AFP.