Bangladesh presidency: 8 presidents ousted, 2 assassinated in decades of turmoil
Synopsis
Bangladesh's presidency has seen more forced exits than completed terms — 10 of 18 holders never finished their tenure, two were assassinated, and now Mohammed Shahabuddin becomes the eighth to be ousted or resign. His departure, reportedly linked to a phone call with exiled former PM Sheikh Hasina, signals how fragile constitutional office remains in Dhaka's fast-moving political order.
Key Takeaways
Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as Bangladesh President on 25 July 2025 , becoming the 8th president to resign or be ousted from Bangabhaban .
Of 18 individuals who have held the presidency, 10 did not complete their terms .
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman were both assassinated in office by factions within the armed forces.
Shahabuddin cited health reasons for his exit, but intelligence agencies reportedly flagged a phone call with former PM Sheikh Hasina in May 2025 as a trigger.
A senior BNP leader described the resignation as 'more complex' than the phone call alone.
Shahabuddin's term was due to end in April 2028 ; he resigned nearly two years early .
Mohammed Shahabuddin's resignation as Bangladesh President on Friday, 25 July 2025, has made him the eighth head of state to be forced out of or to voluntarily vacate Bangabhaban, the presidential residence in Dhaka — underscoring a pattern of political instability that has shadowed the office since the country's founding.
A Presidency Defined by Premature Exits
Of the 18 individuals who have held the presidency — whether as President, Acting President, or in-charge President — 10 did not complete their terms, according to a report in Bangladesh's The Daily Star. Two were assassinated while in office; the remaining eight resigned or were removed amid shifting political conditions. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman were both killed while serving as President, with factions within the armed forces held responsible for both killings, the report noted.
Shahabuddin's Rise and Fall
Mohammed Shahabuddin, backed by the Awami League, was elected as Bangladesh's 22nd President and assumed office on 24 April 2023. He had previously served as the Joint Secretary of the Pabna district Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BaKSAL) in 1975. His term was due to run until April 2028, but he stepped down nearly two years early, citing health reasons. 'I am suffering from various health complications. I have nothing more to add at this moment,' he told The Daily Star. The Speaker of the national Parliament formally accepted his resignation letter.
The Phone Call That Reportedly Triggered the Exit
Shahabuddin's resignation, however, came against a more complex backdrop. Reports indicate he held a telephonic conversation with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — who was ousted on 5 August 2024 — while he was in London for medical treatment in May 2025. According to The Daily Star, intelligence agencies subsequently learned of the conversation, after which the President was reportedly asked to step down. A senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, however, cautioned that the phone call was not the sole reason behind the resignation, describing the situation as 'more complex.'
Political Context: A Rapidly Shifting Landscape
Shahabuddin was the only senior constitutional officeholder to remain in position following the July 2024 mass demonstrations that upended Bangladesh's political order. His exit now coincides with a widening crackdown by the BNP-aligned administration on leaders associated with the Awami League. He had also recently alleged that attempts had been made to remove him during the tenure of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, adding another layer of tension to an already volatile political environment. Speculation over his future had mounted for months before Friday's announcement put an end to the uncertainty.
What Comes Next
With Shahabuddin's departure, Bangladesh now faces the question of who will occupy Bangabhaban next and under what political terms. The selection of a new president will be closely watched as a signal of where the country's post-uprising political settlement is heading. Given the office's history, the choice is unlikely to be without controversy.
Point of View
Even when the office is nominally ceremonial. The reported trigger — a phone call with exiled former PM Hasina — reveals how tightly the current administration is monitoring residual Awami League loyalties, and how little insulation the constitutional office actually provides. What mainstream coverage underplays is the precedent this sets: if a president can be pressured out for a private conversation, the office's independence is effectively zero. The BNP's framing of the situation as 'more complex' deserves scrutiny — it may signal factional disputes within the new political order that have not yet surfaced publicly.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin resign?
Shahabuddin publicly cited health complications as the reason for his resignation on 25 July 2025. However, reports indicate that intelligence agencies learned of a phone call he had with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in May 2025, after which he was reportedly asked to step down. A senior BNP leader described the matter as 'more complex' than the phone call alone.
How many Bangladesh presidents have been ousted or resigned before completing their terms?
Of the 18 individuals who have held the presidency in Bangladesh, 10 did not complete their terms. Two — Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman — were assassinated in office, while the remaining eight, including Shahabuddin, resigned or were removed.
Who were the Bangladesh presidents assassinated in office?
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman were both assassinated while serving as President of Bangladesh. In both cases, factions within the armed forces were held responsible for their killings, according to reports.
What is the political context behind Shahabuddin's resignation?
Shahabuddin's exit comes amid a widening crackdown by the BNP-aligned administration on Awami League-affiliated leaders. He was the only senior constitutional officeholder to remain in post after the July 2024 mass demonstrations that ousted former PM Sheikh Hasina. He had also alleged that attempts were made to remove him during the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government's tenure.
When did Mohammed Shahabuddin become President of Bangladesh?
Mohammed Shahabuddin was elected as Bangladesh's 22nd President with Awami League backing and took office on 24 April 2023. His term was due to end in April 2028, but he resigned nearly two years before its conclusion.
