Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus raises concerns over US decision to freeze aid

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday raised concerns over the US decision to freeze aid to other key projects in Bangladesh, including the life-saving efforts of the icddr.b, one of the world's renowned health research institutes.

The concerns came when US Chargé d'affaires to Bangladesh Tracey Jacobson called on Yunus in Dhaka. During the meeting, Prof Yunus and Jacobson discussed issues of mutual interest and the fallout of the US decision to freeze the work of USAID.

Yunus highlighted his recent moves to form a consensus commission and, under its auspices, to inaugurate dialogue with the political parties of the country.


"Once we have reached consensus over the reforms, the political parties will sign a July Charter to implement them," Yunus said.

Jacobson stressed that elections for a new government should be free, fair, and inclusive. She also enquired about Operation Devil's Hunt, recently launched by the country's security forces. There are allegations that Yunus maintained close ties with the previous administration of the USA.