Bangladeshi President Md Sahabuddin resigned on Friday, according to the source, drawing coverage from Reuters, the BBC, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, the South China Morning Post, Moneycontrol and WION. Al Jazeera cited a statement from the president’s press secretary saying Sahabuddin was leaving office after being diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy. Reuters reported that the 76-year-old president, who took office in April 2023, formally resigned despite a term stated to run until April 2028.

International reports also focused on the political context surrounding the departure. BBC and the South China Morning Post said pressure on Sahabuddin grew after discussion of Sheikh Hasina’s possible return to Bangladesh. Moneycontrol linked the resignation to alleged secret contact and a recently disclosed phone conversation with Hasina, while the cited reports described health as the stated reason.

The reports said the parliamentary speaker will perform presidential duties until a successor is elected. Under the constitution, a new head of state must be chosen by members of parliament within 90 days of the vacancy. They said Sahabuddin submitted his written resignation to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed after the speaker returned from medical treatment in Thailand.