Bangladesh Army, govt at odds on Myanmar corridor
In a press briefing held in Dhaka on May 26, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Army said that the country's armed forces will not be party to decisions that may harm national security. The move comes as the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has sought to create a humanitarian corridor connecting Chittagong to the Rakhine province in Myanmar, home to the persecuted Rohingya Muslims.
The spokesperson, Lt. Col. Shafiqul Islam, signalled a divergence with the interim government's initiative, noting that the Army would 'not compromise' on the matter. 'The Army will not compromise on issues related to the corridor, national security, and national sovereignty. On August 5, 2024, the Army has coordinated with everyone for the sake of the country,' Lt. Col. Islam said. He also warned that stern action would be taken if attempts were made to organise mobs.
This statement comes after Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman demanded that elections in Bangladesh be held in December this year, in a meeting with Commanding Officers on May 21. General Zaman said that the interim government had taken crucial decisions without consulting Bangladesh's armed forces. He opposed the creation of the corridor as 'unacceptable', citing fears that it may present national security challenges. The move would entail partnering with non-state actors such as the Arakan Army in a region notorious for the smuggling of arms and drugs.
On May 21, Khalilur Rahman, the National Security Adviser to the interim government, said that it was 'not under pressure' from the U.S. or China to create the corridor but has discussed it with the United Nations. 'The UN Secretary-General inquired about Bangladesh's ability to provide aid to Rakhine. Bangladesh has informed the Arakan Army, through the UN, that aid distribution must be impartial and not used for military purposes,' he said in a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. 'Since all other aid delivery avenues are unviable due to conflict, Bangladesh turned out to be the only feasible option,' he added.
The idea of a humanitarian corridor with Rakhine has evoked criticism from multiple stakeholders besides the Bangladesh Army, including from political leaders. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party expressed its support for the Army Chief, both for his opposition to the humanitarian corridor and his call for elections by December. 'He has spoken in support of democracy in Bangladesh,' said a BNP party member.
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