Bangladesh Army Chief pledges unwavering support for interim government's reform agenda
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Bangladesh's Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, has pledged full support to the country's interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The general expressed his commitment to assisting the government in carrying out essential reforms and restoring democratic processes within the next 18 months.
Zaman’s statement comes after widespread protests against Hasina’s regime, which culminated in her resignation after 15 years in power. Speaking in Dhaka, Zaman emphasized the military’s backing of Yunus' efforts to stabilize the country and implement judicial, police, and financial reforms to pave the way for free and fair elections.
Key highlights from General Zaman’s remarks include his assurance that the military will remain politically neutral, with a focus on maintaining professionalism. He underscored the importance of patience during the transition period and noted the military's current role in maintaining law and order, particularly with the national police force in disarray after the turmoil, reported Reuters.
Since Hasina’s departure, over 1,000 people have been killed in clashes, marking one of the bloodiest chapters in Bangladesh’s history. However, General Zaman pointed out that calm had returned to Dhaka and other major cities, with the military stepping in to fill the gap left by a struggling civil service.
The interim government has also initiated investigations into reports of human rights abuses, including the forced disappearances of up to 600 people since 2009, and Zaman confirmed that military personnel implicated in misconduct would face disciplinary actions.
Looking ahead, Zaman expressed his desire to separate the military from politics, suggesting reforms that would place the armed forces directly under the president rather than the prime minister. He stressed that the military should never again be used for political purposes, advocating for a balance of power in the government.
