No differences with government: Top Bangladesh Army officer amid reports of rift

India Today

26-05-2025

Amid swirling speculation over a possible rift between the Bangladesh Army and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, the military on Sunday issued a strong statement reaffirming its alignment with the civilian administration.Addressing a press conference at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka, senior Army officer Brigadier General Md Nazim-ud-Daula denied any discord between Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman and the Chief Advisor of the interim government.advertisementHis remarks followed reports of a rift between the military and the interim government over the election timeline and a proposed humanitarian aid corridor to Myanmar's rebel-held Rakhine state — a move with security implications for Bangladesh.
"This issue is extremely sensitive, and I urge everyone not to misinterpret the situation. There is no difference of opinion between the government and the Bangladesh Army. We are working together, complementing each other in every step," Brigadier General Nazim-ud-Daula said.Calling the Army and government "parts of the same family", the officer said that any minor differences should be viewed in context. "Just like in any family, there may occasionally be differences in words or understanding. But these are not signs of division. They are part of the process, and everything can be resolved," he said.advertisementDaula also warned against reading too much into routine coordination matters. "Some reports have painted a picture of deep divide, but that's far from reality. The government and the Army are working very well together, and there is full cooperation," the Brigadier General added.The speculation reportedly stemmed from differing views on regional security concerns, especially regarding the border movement and the term "corridor", which has stirred debate in political and security circles.Brigadier General Nazim-ud-Daula clarified that the corridor issue is being misrepresented and is separate from the ongoing border developments."When I spoke about the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, I never mentioned the word corridor. It's a separate matter, and it should not be linked to the broader border security concerns or internal coordination," he said.Concluding his address, he appealed for responsible reporting and unity in a time of uncertainty. "This is our country. We are all responsible for its progress. There may be inconsistencies given the situation, but we are committed to resolving them and moving forward— together," the Army official said.BANGLADESH INTERNAL CONFLICTEarlier this week, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the navy and air force heads, met Yunus and reportedly renewed their demand for national elections by December, pressing for a return to an elected government. The chiefs also conveyed their concerns over the proposed corridor project.advertisementSeparately, the military has resolved to crack down on rising incidents of "mob justice" as part of its ongoing law enforcement responsibilities.Bangladesh, home to nearly 170 million people, has been mired in political unrest since the ousting of the previous Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime. Tensions have flared in recent days, with rival political factions, trade unions, and pressure groups staging competing protests across Dhaka, each pushing a different set of demands.Tune InMust Watch