Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin, 76, stepped down on Friday, citing a serious medical condition, his office confirmed. The resignation strips ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of her last remaining ally in high office, deepening her political isolation five months before a planned return. Main Developments Shahabuddin announced his resignation in a statement released by his press secretary. He revealed that recent medical exams diagnosed him with Autonomic Neuropathy, a condition causing occasional momentary loss of consciousness. The president's departure leaves Hasina without any allies in senior government positions. Her Awami League party remains banned, and many of its leaders and activists have been jailed or have gone into hiding since the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled her government. Read also: Copper Holds Weekly Gain as Non-US Inventories Tighten Background Shahabuddin, a former ally of Hasina, assumed the largely ceremonial presidency in April 2023. His tenure spanned the volatile aftermath of the deadly 2024 uprising, which forced Hasina to flee to India. Under Bangladesh's constitution, the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but executive power rests with the prime minister and cabinet. The speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad will now perform presidential duties until a new election is held. Why It Matters Shahabuddin's resignation eliminates Hasina's last foothold in the current government, complicating her planned return. With her party banned and its leadership decimated, she faces an increasingly hostile political landscape in a nation of 173 million people. The move also underscores the ongoing instability in Bangladesh's highest offices following the 2024 upheaval. The transition of presidential power to the speaker signals a temporary arrangement that may shape the country's political direction in coming months. What's Next The speaker of parliament will assume presidential duties pending a new election, according to the official statement. No timeline has been set for selecting Shahabuddin's successor, leaving a critical gap in the nation's leadership. Hasina's planned return in five months now faces heightened uncertainty, as she must navigate a political vacuum without allies in high office. The interim government's next steps will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.