Bangladesh Army chief faces backlash over political meddling

Reading Time: 4 minutes Key Highlights: Called for national elections by December 2025 Publicly opposed the Rakhine corridor project with Myanmar Secretly coordinated with Sheikh Hasina and Indian authorities Sheltered over 600+ Awami League leaders, ensuring their safe passage to India Junior and mid-level officers remain loyal to Dr Yunus-led interim government Public backlash over army’s political interference and protection of former regime figures US and China warn against destabilising moves by the army chief On 21 May 2025, Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman, delivered a tense and consequential address to senior military officers, urging that national elections be held by December of this year and publicly rejecting the controversial Rakhine corridor project with Myanmar. The speech exposed deep fissures within the military establishment and raised serious concerns about the army’s role in Bangladesh’s precarious political transition. What was most striking to those present was General Waker’s visible