Will Sheikh Hasina return to Bangladesh?

Taking advantage of the chaotic situation, Muhammad Yunus allegedly conspired to postpone the elections. However, the USA dealt a blow to the Yunus administration regarding the situation in Bangladesh. The US has made it clear that the ban on Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party must be lifted to ensure fair elections. This means that the party that Yunus has tirelessly tried to shut down is now being asked to be allowed to participate in the elections.

Why did the USA have to intervene? Will this pave the way for the Awami League to contest the elections? Five members of the US House of Representatives wrote a letter to Muhammad Yunus. These members are key members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They expressed their displeasure over human rights violations in Bangladesh and also questioned the ban on the Awami League.

The letter stated that Bangladesh’s interim government should work with political parties in the country to create an environment conducive to free, fair and peaceful elections. However, this cannot happen if the interim government suppresses the activities of political parties.

In their letter, US lawmakers expressed hope that the Bangladeshi government would reconsider its decision to ban the Awami League. The Bangladesh government has not yet given an official response to this proposal by American lawmakers. But the American letter certainly put him in a difficult position. Yunus’s government’s troubles will increase if it does not heed the US’s advice. If so, his entire agenda will be derailed.

The Yunus government has been acting in a spirit of revenge against the Awami League ever since it came to power. Human rights organizations also expressed their concerns on this issue.

– First, in October 2024, the student wing of the Awami League was declared a terrorist organization.

– On May 10, 2025, the Yunus government banned the activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

– Later on May 12, 2025, the Election Commission suspended the registration of the Awami League.

– On November 17, 2025, the International Crimes Court sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia.

Elections were announced in Bangladesh after the activities of Awami League and Sheikh Hasina were completely banned. Muhammad Yunus’ entire agenda was focused on opposing the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, it seems unlikely that he will allow the Awami League to contest the elections. But this letter from American lawmakers could create problems for him or Bangladesh’s next government.

– Any election held without the participation of the Awami League will not be considered credible. This could undermine the new government’s international legitimacy.

– If the elections are deemed unfair, it may affect US aid and relations with the US.

– Other countries, such as the United States, may also express concern about the state of democracy in Bangladesh.

– Awami League’s continued ban could increase political instability in Bangladesh.