Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, long-time ally of Sheikh Hasina, resigns

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a long-time ally of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned on Friday (July 24, 2026), citing health complications, two years ahead of the end of his tenure.

In his resignation letter addressed to Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the 76-year-old leader said he is "seriously ill" and suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications.

"Recently, medical tests detected a disease called Autonomic Neuropathy. Due to this illness, I sometimes lose consciousness briefly. Because of the prevalence of these diseases, I am physically and mentally incapable of discharging the responsibilities of such an important constitutional post of President," he wrote in his resignation letter.