After 17 years in exile, Tarique Rahman is sworn in as Prime Minister, promising stability for a nation emerging from the shadows of autocracy.

Dhaka — History was written in the humid air of Dhaka this Tuesday afternoon as Tarique Rahman took the oath of office, becoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and ending nearly two decades of political exile. The ceremony, held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, marked not just a transfer of power, but a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

Rahman, 60, the scion of one of Bangladesh’s most powerful political dynasties, returns to a country transformed by revolution. His swearing-in follows a landslide victory for his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the February 12 elections, where the party secured a commanding 209 of the 297 contested seats. It is a mandate born of frustration and hope, coming 18 months after a student-led uprising toppled the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina.

The Return of the Prince

The symbolism of the moment cannot be overstated. Rahman is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and President Ziaur Rahman. For 17 years, he lived in London, directing his party’s affairs from afar while facing what his supporters called politically motivated charges. His return is being hailed by the BNP faithful as a restoration of democracy, a "second liberation" for a nation of 170 million people.

"This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy," Rahman declared in his victory speech. "This victory belongs to people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy."

However, the road ahead is paved with challenges that would daunt even the most seasoned statesman. Rahman inherits an economy fragile from years of mismanagement and global headwinds. Constitutional institutions have been weakened, and the law-and-order situation remains precarious. His first test was immediate: a controversy over a proposed "Second Oath" for a Constitutional Reform Council, which his MPs flatly rejected, asserting their loyalty solely to the existing constitution.

A delicate Regional Balance

For Kenya and other nations in the Global South, the events in Dhaka are instructive. Bangladesh is a key player in the global textiles market and a significant voice in the developing world. The stability of its government has direct implications for global trade supply chains. The presence of high-profile dignitaries, including India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signals that regional powers are keen to engage with the new administration, despite the BNP’s historically complicated relationship with New Delhi.

Rahman’s administration has pledged to prioritize economic recovery and institutional reform. "We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by the authoritarian regime," he noted somberly. This frank admission suggests a government that is clear-eyed about the mess it has inherited.

• Prime Minister: Tarique Rahman (BNP)
• Mandate: 209 of 297 seats
• Predecessor: Interim Govt (following Sheikh Hasina)
• Key Challenge: Economic revival & Constitutional reform

The Constitutional Tussle

The swearing-in was not without drama. The interim government had proposed that new MPs take a second oath to serve as members of a "Constitution Reform Commission." The BNP, flexing its newfound muscle, refused. "None of us will take the second oath," a BNP spokesperson declared. "No provision of the council is yet to be incorporated in the Constitution."

This early standoff demonstrates that Rahman intends to govern by the book, rejecting ad-hoc arrangements that lack legal grounding. It sets a precedent for a return to strict constitutionalism, a welcome change after years of executive overreach.

As the sun set over Dhaka, the mood was one of cautious optimism. The "Prince of Hawa Bhaban" has finally taken the throne. Now, he must prove he can rule not just a party, but a complex, fractured, and expectant nation. The world is watching.